Question

Text A: "Concern for propriety or duty does not inhibit their pursuit of advantage..."

Text B: "Now Buddha was a man of the barbarians who did not speak the language of China..."
A) Confucianism
B) Legalism
C) Taoism
D) Buddhism

Answer 1

The philosophical tradition that encouraged "nonaction" in China is Daoism, which emphasizes harmony with the natural way. Buddhism and Confucianism offered different ethical frameworks, with Buddhism focusing on personal responsibility and Confucianism on reciprocity and empathy within a secular moral system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is about identifying which Chinese philosophical tradition encouraged "nonaction" as an important political concept. The correct answer is Daoism, which contrasted with Confucianism and Legalism.

Daoism focused on simplicity, the elimination of desires and greed, and naturalness. It emphasized finding harmony with the natural way, the dao, rather than adhering to strict social norms and practices.

Buddhism brought a new dimension to such philosophical traditions, offering a way to live outside the family and emphasizing personal responsibility through adherence to the four Noble Truths and the "middle way."

While Confucianism focused on moral practices grounded in the principles of reciprocity, empathy, and understanding, it did not involve worship or divine rules, leaving the political structure to claim divine mandate without becoming theocratic.