Traditional culture in the Warring States Period

During this period, a hundred schools of thought contended and ideas collided fiercely. A hundred schools of thought contend refers to different schools of thought among intellectuals in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475-22 BC1year). In fact, the so-called "hundred schools" mainly include Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Legalism, followed by Yin and Yang, saints, famous scholars, military strategists and novelists. "A hundred schools of thought contend" reflected the fierce and complicated political struggle in the society at that time, mainly the class struggle between the emerging landlord class and the declining slave owners. The cultural thought of this period laid the foundation of the whole feudal culture and had a far-reaching influence on the ancient culture of China.

A hundred schools of thought contend refers to various schools of thought among intellectuals during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, it was a transitional period from feudal landlord system to feudal landlord system. The struggle between the old and new classes and between classes is complex and fierce.

Scholars or thinkers representing all classes, strata and political forces try to explain or put forward opinions on the universe, society and everything according to the interests and requirements of their own classes (strata) or groups. They wrote books, collected disciples to help the world, talked extensively and argued with each other, so there was a situation of "a hundred schools of thought contend" in the ideological field.

The so-called "hundred schools" mainly include Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Legalism, followed by Yin and Yang, miscellaneous scholars, famous scholars, strategists and novelists. Later generations called the nine schools other than novelists "nine streams". Commonly known as "ten families and nine streams" comes from here.

The founder of Confucianism is Confucius. The surname of Confucius was from Lu at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. The core of his theory is "benevolence", and the principle of the system or behavior that embodies benevolence is "courtesy". The Confucian school split after Confucius, and Mencius became a representative figure in the mid-Warring States period. Mencius, named Yu Zi, was a disciple of Confucius' first grandson, Zisi (named Kong Ji). Mencius' thought was retro and retrogressive, which was considered out of date by many kings at that time.

The representative figure of Confucianism is Xunzi. Xunzi's reputation was honored as Xun Qing.

Mohism was founded by Mozi. Mozi, named Zhai, was a native of Lu in the early Warring States period.

Mozi's thought is tit for tat with Confucianism. Oppose Shi Qing's official career system, advocate talents, attach importance to talents when appointing officials, break the old hierarchical concept, and achieve "officials are impermanent and expensive, and the people are not cheap."

The representative of Mo Zhai Thought is Mozi, which was compiled by his disciples according to their class notes.

The founder of Taoist school is Laozi. Lao Tzu's surname is Li Ming's second son Yong, a native of Chu, and he was born in a declining aristocratic family almost at the same time as Confucius. The book reflecting his thoughts is Laozi, also known as Tao Te Ching, compiled by the Warring States Period.

The representative figure of Taoism in the Warring States Period was Zhuang Zhou. Zhuang Zhou, a native of Song Dynasty, was born in a declining aristocratic family and once worked as a small official in the lacquer garden of Song State. Later, he hated official positions, and "refused to be an official for life." The book Zhuangzi was jointly compiled by him and his master.

Legalists represent the interests of the emerging landlord class. The early representatives were Li Kui, Wuqi, Shang Yang, Shen Dao, Shen Buhai and others, while the later legalist Han Fei was a master of the theory of authoritarian centralization.

Han Fei, Xunzi's eldest disciple, Lisi, was born in a noble family in Korea. Han Feizi is the result of his summary of early legalist thoughts. Han Fei paid attention to absorbing the strengths of legalists and put forward the theory of rule of law combining "law", "technique" and "potential"

The "contention of a hundred schools of thought" in the Warring States period reflected the fierceness and complexity of the social and political struggle at that time. Although there are many schools, the class front is very clear, mainly the class struggle between the emerging landlord class and the declining slave owners. The cultural thought of this period laid the foundation of the whole feudal culture and had a far-reaching influence on the ancient culture of China.