The Evolution of Ancient Chinese Thought

Abstract

The most influential indigenous ideological culture of ancient Chinese thought was mainly derived from Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism and Taoism competed with and influenced one another during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). They became the major philosophical impulse among the “Hundred Schools of Philosophical Thought” (Zhuzi Bai Jia) movement. During the Han Dynasty, Confucianism became the orthodox thought and was established as the official curriculum (the major Confucian texts and research based upon them became known as the “Confucian Classics”). Taoism and Taoist thought exerted a deep influence among scholars and the populace. Buddhism was introduced into China during the late Western Han Dynasty (202 BC–6 AD) and the early Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD). It came into conflict with, though was also reconciled with, indigenous thought and cultures. After a long period of conflict and reconciliation, a form of Buddhism with Chinese characteristics emerged. On a deep philosophical level, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were further assimilated, leading to the development of “Song Confucianism” (Song Dai Li Xue). Later on, the Cheng-Zhu School (Cheng Zhu Li Xue) was officially adopted by the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD) and the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD), but over time its vigor diminished. In the early Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), some provincial scholars began to consolidate this past knowledge and to envision a new future, which was to constitute an important chapter in the history of Chinese thought. With the dawning of the contemporary age, China gradually sank into being an oppressed nation. Modern Western ideas, especially in the area of political thought, entered into the country. This inevitably led to a collision between Chinese learning and Western learning. Finding a solution to this dispute, and seeking to establish harmony between the competing sides, became the main theme of contemporary Chinese thought.