Philosophy and Empire in the Han

Themes

• empires, emperors, and imperialism
  
  
• philosophies: Han China and Confucianism
  
  
• Confucius meets Lao Tzu

Philosophy in China

• Worldview review:
  
  
  
  
• Three Ways of Thought (Arthur Waley)
  1. Daoism: Lao Tzu
     
     
  2. Confucianism: Kung Fu Tzu
     
     
  3. Legalism: Han Fei Tzu
     
     
• Confucian thinkers
  1. Confucius, K’ung Fu Tzu, 551-479 B.C.E
     
     
     
  .
  2. Mencius, Meng Tzu, 372-289 BCE
     
     
     
  3. Hsun Tzu, c. 300-235 BCE
     
     
     
• Confucian teachings
• 7 propositions:
• 5 key reciprocal relationships:
• values:
  
  
  

Han Empire: Applied Philosophy

• Environment:
  
  
• Development
  • Qin 221-207 B.C.E.: Shihuangdi; bookburning
    
    
    
  • Former Han Dynasty 206 B.C.E.-9 C.E.: Liu Bang; Wudi
    
    
    
  • Wang Mang rebellion 9-23 C.E.
    
    
  • Later Han Dynasty A.D. 25-220 C.E.
    
    
• Legacy
• social:
  
  
  
• economic:
  
  
  
• political:
  
  
  
• Sun Tzu, Art of Warfare
  
  
• cultural:
  
  
  
• Sima Qian; Ban Zhao

Conclusions

• philosophies and empires
  
  
• comparing empires
  
  
• imperialism