Confucianism and Daoism

Confucianism and Daoism Confucian and Daoist views were important for the shaping and development of mankind in the past. They were views that existed among the eastern Asian countries. They had both similarities and differences in the way they shaped out self-knowledge and self-cultivation. Also there was other outside forces that played a major role in their theories. Nature and art were said to have helped shape the human race as we know it. Confucianism and Daoism seem to be complete polar opposites but there are some similarities between the two. One way that they are similar is that they both focus on the goal of self-improvement. Their teachings both agree that people are responsible for their personal life, individual development, and self improvement. "In Confucianism, a person improves himself or herself and is rewarded throughout one's existence in this world. In Daoism, a person achieves improvement through nature and the natural occurrences of the world around us and are rewarded in the next life."(Confucianism and Daoism) When giving the differences between Confucianism and Daoism it is safe to say they are opposites. Therefore, their are many differences between the two. The main difference is that in Confucius teachings, the main concern was people's individual development. The belief in human relationships and an attitude of humaneness shaped one's self. Confucius came up with the golden rule, "do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."(Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Daoism thoughts generally focus on nature, health, longevity, action through inaction, liberty, and spontaneity. It is the belief that all human beings find self-knowledge and self-cultivation by letting nature take its course(action through inaction). According to Lao Tzu, "a man should study himself and be well aware of the path he is following, interfering as less as possible in the things and actions which surround him."(Confucianism and Daoism)