Applying and/or not applying Early Chinese Philosophies
This is the way that I conceive of essay structure. It is in the traditional form of Introduction/Body/Conclusion, but I feel that there are other structural possibilities as long as the following points are covered:
expression of the problem and possibilities inherent in the issue
organization of the relevant data and related analysis of that data
synthesis of all of the elements in a coherent conclusion.
Question: How would you apply, and/or not apply, Taoist, Legalist, and/or Confucian philosophies in developing your own state government, education, and religion.
1) Setting up the essay (expression of the problem and possibilities inherent in the issue)
Although the development and application of these philosophies took place two thousand years ago, they are still applicable to this day and age. After all, Western Judaic/Christian/Islamic traditions originate in the same era and we still make use of them. For me, each of the three philosophies has applications to corresponding structures in society: government, education, and religion. Examples from our studies of Qin and Han China, however, should lead us to be cautious in applying everything in each philosophy without question. Let's see what we can use and what we can't.
2) organization of the relevant data and related analysis of that data
2a) Religion. Daoism, with its encompassing view of natural processes and man's inter-relatedness, would be a useful religion. According to Daoism, all is sacred, significant, and interdependent female and male. I personally would not stretch the metaphor to medicine in all cases. The scientific method would need to be applied as well as Daoist, holistic approaches. If science could prove the validity of acupuncture, I might try it.
2b) Education. Confucianism certainly has something to offer even a modern education system. Trust between teacher and student is something that is often lacking in schools today. If the student felt that the teacher would be benevolent, he or she would probably be more loyal and dutiful in studies. These days, students feel the teacher is out to get the students, and playing "the game" is the only way to "get through" the class. So much relies on the family in the Confucian moral order, however, I'm afraid that it would be hard if not impossible to establish the core filial relations between children and parents. Without this established, the school relations might be impossible, but it would still be worth a try.
2c) Government. Legalism would be essential to effective government in a democracy. We in America already live in a legalistic society, but still, people with money manage to get better lawyers and get lighter sentences than those without financial resources. Presidential campaigns as well might be better off with a dose of Legalism in proportioning out equal funding or television time to all candidates. I would not push reliance on Law too far, however. Voluntarism in America and other countries has proven to be a valid force for social progress. If everyone was required to do something, not as many people would want to do it.
3) synthesis of all of the elements in a coherent conclusion
Early Chinese philosophies still have much to offer civilizations of the world who struggle with many of the same problems that they have for two thousand years. Everyone wants a holistic view of the universe and a combination of various religious and philosophic traditions would be healthy as we live in a global, democratic society. And democracy's demand for a equal rights lends itself to Legalist as well as Confucian moral guidelines. With more moral training, or at least discussion of moral dilemmas in our education system, the laws might work better in government. Laws and morals are complimentary if not interdependent.