Fate of the Big Four—Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Legalism

Quan Yazhi

Abstract: Chinese traditional culture is extensive and profound. Its core is the system of Chinese traditional ideology. According to Karl Jaspers, the main schools of thought that had been formed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods is the important part of the Axis Civilization. According to the sequence of the values of the Big Four, Taoism should be put at the first place and then followed by Confucianism, Mohism and Legalism. Taoism is the peak of the Chinese intellectual history as well as the root of the Chinese traditional culture.

Keywords:Taoism; Confucianism; Chinese Traditional Culture; Axis Civilization