1
Taoism This site offers a very clear summary of Taoist principles and beliefs.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm
Questions for exploration:
How is harmony in the world to be achieved? Do human beings add to, or threaten nature's harmony? How is it possible "to do without doing?" Can salvation be attained through prayer to a deity? What is "chi?"
2
Images of Taoism This site features modern works of art and texts that evoke classical Taoist themes.
http://psychology.iupui.edu/tao/ch25.htm
Questions for exploration:
What artistic element (color, line, etc.) in this image tries to suggest the nature of the Tao? What word pictures or symbols does the poem introduce or evoke that illuminate some basic elements of Taoist belief?
3
Confucius This site provides an excellent review of major elements of Confucian teaching and texts.
http://www.friesian.com/confuci.htm
Questions for exploration:
What did Confucius mean by "the gentleman understands yi, the small man understands li?" What was Confucius's "simple moral teaching?" According to Confucius, in terms of the regulation of human behavior, who should do the regulating, the person or the state?
4
Mencius This site provides an analysis of the contributions of the Chinese philosopher Mencius to what will evolve into Confucianism.
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CHPHIL/MENCIUS.HTM
Questions for exploration:
Why were Mencius's ideas considered "dangerous"? How is danger ultimately related to modern political theory?
5
Mozi (Mo Tzu) This site examines the teachings of one of China's most important ancient philosophers, Mozi.
Questions for exploration:
Why does Mozi differ from Confucius over the absolute value of tradition as a measure of all things? What example does he give of the error of absolute veneration of the past.
6
Legalism This site describes the Chinese philosophy of Legalism.
http;//www.eacs.indiana.edu/pages/easc/curriculum/China/1996/EACPWorkbook/philo/lega.htm
Questions for exploration:
What are the strengths and weaknesses of legalism? How does it compare with Taoism and Confucianism? What do you think should be the relationship between law and morality?
7
What modern Chinese leader sought to associate his name with that of Shi Huangdi? Why, even in death, was Shi Huangdi a break with past traditions? Why are his funeral arrangements so prominent in Chinese history? This site describes the relationship between the scholars, nobles and peasants of China. Why were many in each of these groups hostile to Shi Huangdi?
8
The Han Dynasty This site, maintained by the Discovery Channel, examines the Han dynasty.
http://www.discovery.com/stories/history/greatwall/han.html
Questions for exploration:
What were some of the Han Dynasty's contributions to the world? What other world empires were its contemporaries? What impact did the extension of Han power into Central Asia have on world history? How did conditions in the Gobi desert influence the techniques used in building the Great Wall in this region?
9
Sunzi (Sun Tzu) This site examines Sunzi's famous manual of war and diplomacy: The Art of War.
http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/artwar.htm
Questions for exploration:
What are some "constant factors" when laying plans for war? What were Sunzi's thoughts on the use and treatment of spies?
10
Chinese Medicine This site explores the history of Chinese traditional medicine.
http://hanwei.com/culture/medic.htm
Questions for exploration:
Western medicine focuses on treating illnesses. How is Chinese traditional medicine different in this regard? How did Shen Nung begin the scientific investigation of the medicinal properties of plants? In 1980, what was the World Health Organization's view of Chinese traditional medicine? Why would many in the world be attracted to Chinese medical techniques?
11
Chinese Science and Culture This examines the relationship between Chinese culture and science and China's achievements in the field of technology.
http://library.thinkquest.org/23062/frameset.html
Questions for exploration:
Why was the Chinese development of the stern-post rudder and the fenestrated rudder (a rudder with windows or openings that permit some water to pass through when the rudder is turned) so important in world history? What European power was the most adept at borrowing Chinese naval technology? Why do you think that nation was so interested in this technology?
