Chapter 20 Classical Civilization: China
Subject:
US History [1]
Chapter 2 – Classical Civilization: China
I.Introduction – longest-lived civilization in history a.Isolated i.Couldn’t learn from other cultures
ii.Rare invasions
iii.Distinctive identity
iv.Relatively little internal chaos w/ decline of Shang dynasty 1.Greatest links to classical society
b.Intellectual theory i.Harmony of nature – yin and yang – balance
ii.Seek Dao – the way 1.Avoid excess
2.Appreciate balance of opposites
3.Humans part of world, not on outside – like Mediterranean
Thesis: China emerged with an unusually well-integrated system in which government, philosophy, economic incentives, the family, and the individual were intended to blend into a harmonious whole.