key term - Li

Definition

Li is a key concept in Classical Chinese Philosophy and Daoism, referring to the inherent order, pattern, or principle that governs the natural world and human affairs. It is the underlying structure or logic that guides the proper functioning of all things.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Confucianism, li refers to the proper rituals, customs, and social norms that maintain the harmonious order of society and human relationships.
2. Daoists view li as the underlying pattern or logic of the natural world, which should be observed and followed rather than manipulated or controlled.
3. The concept of li is closely linked to the idea of the Dao, the ultimate reality or the Way that guides all things in the universe.
4. Confucians believe that cultivating virtues like ren (benevolence) and following the li or proper social order is essential for achieving individual and societal harmony.
5. Daoists, on the other hand, emphasize the importance of ziran or spontaneous naturalness, and see li as the inherent order that should be embraced rather than rigidly adhered to.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of li is understood in the context of Classical Chinese Philosophy.
  • In Classical Chinese Philosophy, the concept of li refers to the inherent order, pattern, or principle that governs the natural world and human affairs. For Confucians, li represents the proper rituals, customs, and social norms that maintain the harmonious order of society and human relationships. They believe that cultivating virtues like ren (benevolence) and following the li or proper social order is essential for achieving individual and societal harmony. In contrast, Daoists view li as the underlying pattern or logic of the natural world, which should be observed and followed rather than manipulated or controlled, as it is an expression of the ultimate reality or the Way (Dao) that guides all things in the universe.
• Analyze the relationship between the concepts of li and Dao in Daoism.
  • In Daoism, the concept of li is closely linked to the idea of the Dao, the ultimate reality or the Way that guides all things in the universe. The Dao is seen as the underlying structure or logic that governs the natural world and human affairs, and li is an expression of this inherent order. Daoists believe that the li or the natural pattern and logic of the universe should be observed and followed, rather than manipulated or controlled. They emphasize the importance of ziran or spontaneous naturalness, and see li as the inherent order that should be embraced rather than rigidly adhered to. The Daoist understanding of li is thus rooted in the idea of the Dao as the ultimate reality that transcends and encompasses the various manifestations of order and pattern in the natural and human realms.
• Evaluate the differences in the way Confucians and Daoists approach the concept of li and its implications for individual and societal harmony.
  • The concept of li is understood quite differently in Confucianism and Daoism, with significant implications for their respective approaches to individual and societal harmony. Confucians view li as the proper rituals, customs, and social norms that maintain the harmonious order of society and human relationships. They believe that cultivating virtues like ren (benevolence) and strictly following the li or proper social order is essential for achieving individual and societal harmony. In contrast, Daoists see li as the underlying pattern or logic of the natural world, which should be observed and followed rather than manipulated or controlled, as it is an expression of the ultimate reality or the Way (Dao) that guides all things in the universe. Daoists emphasize the importance of ziran or spontaneous naturalness, and believe that li, as the inherent order of the cosmos, should be embraced rather than rigidly adhered to. This fundamental difference in the understanding of li leads Confucians to advocate for a more structured, hierarchical approach to social order, while Daoists promote a more fluid, naturalistic view of harmony that aligns with the Dao.

Related terms

Dao:

The Dao is the ultimate reality or the Way that underlies and guides the natural and human realms, of which li is an expression.

Ren:

Ren is the Confucian virtue of benevolence, humaneness, and care for others, which is considered an expression of the li or order inherent in human relationships and society.

Ziran:

Ziran is the Daoist concept of naturalness, spontaneity, and non-interference with the natural flow of the Dao, which is guided by the inherent li or order of the universe.