Eastern Philosophy

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Explore the wisdom traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and more

1.
Confucius emphasized which virtue as the foundation of a well-ordered society?
A
Wealth accumulation
B
Martial prowess
C
Isolation
D
Ren (benevolence/humaneness)
2.
What does 'Tao' (Dao) mean in Chinese philosophy?
A
Power
B
The Way or Path
C
Heaven
D
Law
3.
The concept of 'wu wei' in Taoism means what?
A
Fighting hard
B
Strict rules
C
Non-action or effortless action
D
Rapid progress
4.
The Analects is the most important text of which Eastern philosophy?
A
Buddhism
B
Taoism
C
Confucianism
D
Legalism
5.
In Confucian thought, what is 'filial piety' (xiao)?
A
A form of meditation
B
Loyalty to the emperor
C
A military code
D
Respect and devotion to one's parents and elders
6.
Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) is famous for his 'butterfly dream' parable. What does it question?
A
The nature of reality and identity
B
The meaning of colors
C
The purpose of sleep
D
The existence of butterflies
7.
Mencius, a follower of Confucius, believed that human nature was fundamentally what?
A
Neutral
B
Evil
C
Unknowable
D
Good
8.
The 'I Ching' (Book of Changes) is an ancient Chinese text used for what?
A
Cooking
B
Military strategy
C
Divination and understanding change
D
Mathematics
9.
What is 'ahimsa' in Indian philosophy, central to Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism?
A
Non-violence toward all living beings
B
Ritual sacrifice
C
A type of prayer
D
Worship of fire
10.
Legalism in ancient China, advocated by Han Fei, emphasized what as the basis of government?
A
Strict laws and punishments
B
Moral virtue
C
Religious devotion
D
Artistic expression
11.
The concept of 'yin and yang' represents what in Chinese philosophy?
A
Good and evil
B
Day and night only
C
Male superiority
D
Complementary, interconnected opposites
12.
Patanjali is known for codifying which practice in his 'Yoga Sutras'?
A
Ayurvedic medicine
B
Astrology
C
Martial arts
D
Yoga
13.
In Jain philosophy, what is 'anekantavada'?
A
A dietary rule
B
The principle of non-violence
C
A meditation technique
D
The doctrine of many-sidedness (multiple viewpoints of truth)
14.
Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' contains philosophical principles applied to what?
A
Music
B
Agriculture
C
Cooking
D
Strategy, conflict, and leadership
15.
The Confucian concept of 'li' refers to what?
A
Physical strength
B
Military strategy
C
Scientific inquiry
D
Ritual propriety and social norms

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Ren (benevolence/humaneness)

Question 2

B. The Way or Path

Question 3

C. Non-action or effortless action

Question 4

C. Confucianism

Question 5

D. Respect and devotion to one's parents and elders

Question 6

A. The nature of reality and identity

Question 7

D. Good

Question 8

C. Divination and understanding change

Question 9

A. Non-violence toward all living beings

Question 10

A. Strict laws and punishments

Question 11

D. Complementary, interconnected opposites

Question 12

D. Yoga

Question 13

D. The doctrine of many-sidedness (multiple viewpoints of truth)

Question 14

D. Strategy, conflict, and leadership

Question 15

D. Ritual propriety and social norms

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