Ancient Philosophies

Ancient Philosophies

ANCIENT CHINA

Chinese political philosophy dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period, specifically with Confucius in the 6th century BC. Chinese political philosophy developed as a response to the social and political breakdown of the country characteristic of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States period. The major philosophies during the period, Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, Agrarianism and Taoism, each had a political aspect to their philosophical schools. Philosophers such as Confucius,Mencius, and Mozi, focused on political unity and political stability as the basis of their political philosophies. Confucianism advocated a hierarchical, meritocraticgovernment based on empathy, loyalty, and interpersonal relationships. Legalism advocated a highly authoritarian government based on draconian punishments and laws. Mohism advocated a communal, decentralized government centered on frugality and ascetism. The Agrarians advocated a peasant utopian communalism andegalitarianism.[2] Taoism advocated a proto-anarchism. Legalism was the dominant political philosophy of the Qin Dynasty, but was replaced by State Confucianism in the Han Dynasty. Prior to China’s adoption of communism, State Confucianism remained the dominant political philosophy of China up to the 20th century.[3]

ANCIENT GREECE

Western political philosophy originates in the philosophy of ancient Greece, where political philosophy begins with Plato’s Republic in the 4th century BC.[4] Ancient Greece was dominated by city-states, which experimented with various forms of political organization, grouped by Plato into four categories: timocracy, tyranny, democracy andoligarchy. One of the first, extremely important classical works of political philosophy is Plato’s Republic,[4] which was followed by Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics andPolitics.[5] Roman political philosophy was influenced by the Stoics, including the Roman statesman Cicero.[6]

ANCIENT INDIA

Indian political philosophy evolved in ancient times and demarcated a clear distinction between (1) nation and state (2) religion and state. The constitutions of Hindu states evolved over time and were based on political and legal treatises and prevalent social institutions. The institutions of state were broadly divided into governance, administration, defense, law and order. Mantranga, the principal governing body of these states, consisted of the King, Prime Minister, Commander in chief of army, Chief Priest of the King. The Prime Minister headed the committee of ministers along with head of executive (Maha Amatya).

Chanakya, 4th Century BC Indian political philosopher, exerted influence on many later thinkers, including Niccolò Machiavelli through his treatise Arthashastra.[7] TheArthashastra provides an account of the science of politics for a wise ruler, policies for foreign affairs and wars, the system of a spy state and surveillance and economic stability of the state.[8] Chanakya quotes several authorities including Bruhaspati, Ushanas, Prachetasa Manu, Parasara, and Ambi, and described himself as a descendant of a lineage of political philosophers, with his father Chanaka being his immediate predecessor.[9] Another influential extant Indian treatise on political philosophy is the Sukra Neeti.[10][11] An example of a code of law in ancient India is the Manusmṛti or Laws of Manu[12]