During the Warring States period, those who weren't fighting were thinking "Why oh why oh why?!" Most blamed Mandate of Heaven, but some saw that the only way to fix the predicament was to change the people who caused it; the commoners. These people, philosophers, made new "religions" to improve human behavior and make sense of the confusion.
Legalism
Though it is unknown who began Legalism, it has a very clear ideology. Legalism states that humans are naturally evil and have to be restrained by laws and strong authority in order for society to work. Laws should apply to everyone, even the ruler, and they have to be strictly enforced, or else "human nature" takes control. This style of thinking is outlined by the rules it makes for itself, and any other rules that the king seems fit.
Daoism/Taoism
Daoism is the same thing as Taoism, except for the fact that "Daoism" is the original name for this philosophy. It was founded by Lao Zi (Old Master), and unlike Legalism embraces nature. This philosophy believes that the to happiness is through accepting and cooperating with the natural and the supernatural worlds. Basically, following the Way (dao) of the universe.
Confucianism
This philosophy is based on the teaching of Kongfuzi, more commonly known as Confucius. He wrote a book called the "Analects," that focuses on individuals fitting into society and making it better in their own special way. (As compared to making only yourself better like Daoism, or following rules blindly like Legalism.) There is more on this interesting philosophy in the Crash Course video below, along with more on the Mandate of Heaven, but know that this "religion" was so popular that it spread to other parts of Asia. Some examples are: Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Legalism
Though it is unknown who began Legalism, it has a very clear ideology. Legalism states that humans are naturally evil and have to be restrained by laws and strong authority in order for society to work. Laws should apply to everyone, even the ruler, and they have to be strictly enforced, or else "human nature" takes control. This style of thinking is outlined by the rules it makes for itself, and any other rules that the king seems fit.
Daoism/Taoism
Daoism is the same thing as Taoism, except for the fact that "Daoism" is the original name for this philosophy. It was founded by Lao Zi (Old Master), and unlike Legalism embraces nature. This philosophy believes that the to happiness is through accepting and cooperating with the natural and the supernatural worlds. Basically, following the Way (dao) of the universe.
Confucianism
This philosophy is based on the teaching of Kongfuzi, more commonly known as Confucius. He wrote a book called the "Analects," that focuses on individuals fitting into society and making it better in their own special way. (As compared to making only yourself better like Daoism, or following rules blindly like Legalism.) There is more on this interesting philosophy in the Crash Course video below, along with more on the Mandate of Heaven, but know that this "religion" was so popular that it spread to other parts of Asia. Some examples are: Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.