Taoism And Confucianism Similarities

Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, was said to have lived around the same time as Lao- Tzu, the founder of Taoism, in the sixth century B.C.E. Confucianism and Taoism are two belief systems that serve as guides for the lives of their followers. Confucianism stresses love and kindness for humanity, the worship of ancestors, and encourages all followers to seek the quality of Jen, translated to “love, goodness, and human-heartedness”. The ultimate goal of Confucianism is to be the superior human being. The goal is not to be superior to others, but superior within one’s self for the betterment of humanity. Taoism emphasizes living a simple life, and Tao is defined as, “The way” or “The way of nature”. The Tao is not seen as a God, but as a “first cause” of the universe. Like Yin and Yang, Confucianism and Taoism both complement and contradict each other, and they are needed to keep each other in balance.
Surprisingly, no
There cannot be one of these without the other. Although they are separate, in a way they are actually one. Yin is the dark, negative, and feminine force in nature. On the other hand, Yang is the positive, bright, and masculine force of nature. Taoism focuses on the balance between oneself and nature, and living a simple life, which would go with Yin. Yang on the other hand relates to Confucianism. Confucianism is considered more a system of ethics, and focuses on having an external harmony with everyone and everything around you. Ultimately although Confucianism and Taoism are different religions, they are needed to keep each other in balance. Although Confucianism and Taoism may seem like they oppose each other, they are just like Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang must always be in balance with each other to have harmony. The same idea goes for these two religions, as they balance each other