No Confucius

Here's a big one I haven't seen before. What route would the world take? How different would China be? How important could other philosophies like Legalism and Taoism be?

Is there the possibility of a similar alternate figure arising to fulfil a similar role?
 
Considering how much of the philosophy of Con Fu Tzu is engrained in China's beauracracy, China would be changed quite a bit without him. I think my spelling is atrocious this time. :(
 
Well there were a lot of philosophies being thrown around at the time of Confucius. When he was alive the region was being fought over by countries and warlords, traditions were being ignored, and everyone was trying to find a solution. So if Confucius wasn't around some other philosophy of stabilization would be used.
Taoism was the biggest contender at the time, so we'd probably see that one become the leader in Chinese society. The smaller philosophies might also make some ground, but I don't see them becoming a major movement.
How this would change China, I'm not sure, I don't know enough about Taoism to really say.
 
May be merchants and traders would be more appreciated by intelectuals in China. This might have significant consequences...
 
Well there were a lot of philosophies being thrown around at the time of Confucius. When he was alive the region was being fought over by countries and warlords, traditions were being ignored, and everyone was trying to find a solution. So if Confucius wasn't around some other philosophy of stabilization would be used.
Taoism was the biggest contender at the time, so we'd probably see that one become the leader in Chinese society. The smaller philosophies might also make some ground, but I don't see them becoming a major movement.
How this would change China, I'm not sure, I don't know enough about Taoism to really say.

Taoism might be butterflied away as well as it was somewhat of a reaction to Confucism (an early Taoist story was about young Confucius seeking advice from an older Lao Tsu). If it weren't butterflied, it probably wouldn't take the place as the major philosophy of China because it could be interpreted as some form of anarchy or not which would not stablize China.

Something else would have probably filled the void though.
 
Here's a big one I haven't seen before. What route would the world take? How different would China be? How important could other philosophies like Legalism and Taoism be?

Is there the possibility of a similar alternate figure arising to fulfil a similar role?

The general thrust of Chinese philosophy was going in that direction. Legalism and Confucianism are in some ways two sides of the same coin- Confucianism focuses on the individual cultivating harmonious behaviour while Legalism focuses on it being imposed upon individuals.
 
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