China at the Time of Confucius
After the displacement of the Western Zhou (c.1100-771) and the movement
of the Zhou capital eastward, China was divided into a number of small
states competing for power (771-221 BCE). Many philosophic schools of
thought emerged during this period of political and social turmoil,
a period known as that of the "100 Schools of Thought." Several
of these philosophic schools have had lasting impact on Chinese civilization
and political order, among them, Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism.
Leading philosophers in the early history of each school, and the texts
associated with them, include:
Confucianism
- Confucius (c. 551-479 BCE) Analects
- Mencius (371-289 BCE) Mencius
- Xun Zi (Hsun Tzu) (298-238) Xunzi
Legalism
- Han Fei Zi (Han Fei Tzu) (d. 233) Han Feizi
- Li Si (Li Ssu) (d. 208) who became the Prime Minister of Qin
Daoism (Taoism)
- Lao Zi (Lao Tzu) "Old Master" (c. 500) Daodejing,
also known as Laozi
- Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu) (c. 369-286) Zhuangzi
Other schools of thought mentioned from this period
are those of Mozi (5th c. BCE), whose philosophy is often called that
of "universal love," and the School of Yin and Yang and
the Five Agents.