Which alternate non-Confucian philosophy has the best chance of prevailing in China?

In 141 BC, Emperor Wu of Han gave Confucianism the monopoly over the entire empire, endorsing it as the state philosophy while supressing the other schools of thought, influencing nearly two millenia of how people in the Sinocentric sphere sees the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Schools_of_Thought

However, a few centuries before, China was still divided into many warring states. Confucianism faced many rival philosophical schools in gaining influence, and when the Qin Dynasty unified China for the first time, Confucianism was nearly driven to extinction. To be fair, other schools also suffered the same persecution under the Qin, bar Legalism, which the Qin endorsed.

Yet Confucianism made a strong comeback in the subsequent Han Dynasty. (Off-topic: Is it me or am I seeing a similarity to Christianity in the Roman Empire?)

So had Emperor Wu chosen differently, or if his reign were to be butterflied away, which other major schools of thought would have the best chance of influencing centuries of Chinese civilization?

PS Confucianism seemed to be a "cool thing" to the Enlightenment philosophers in Europe when Confucian texts were first translated in the 17th century by missionaries in China, would said alternate philosophy have the same effect?
 
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Mohism has always sounded like the most interesting alternate route.

A weird humanist-utilitarian republic thing uniting China.

Though it bonding with Legalism as Taoism bonded with Confucianism IOTL would be either great or terrible. (on one hand, impartiality. on the other, impartiality. one standard for all is a difficult thing.)

EDIT: Also, a Mohist-Agriculturalist mix would perhaps give off proto-Maoist vibes.
 
I think Mohism stands the best chance. It supports the monarchy, has many elements that support social cohesion and if it continued its emphasis on empiricism could encourage a sciencist-sage tradition with serious momentum.

However, ideally I think an awesome timeline would have both Carvaka and Yangism (an early Chinese Egoist school of ethics) become major schools of philosophy in both China and India. An Egoist and materialist east as a stereotype rather than the "one with everything" altruist stereotype associated with it otl would be a fun change of pace.
 
Another vote for Mohism. Some bits will have to be glossed over as unworkable or great ideals that are out of the reach of actual practice but there`s a lot of interesting meat there.

Also the main text is exceptionally blunt and readable. The criticisms of Confucianism are hilarious. I did like the idea of applying utilitarianism to beliefs, for examole believing in ghosts is good because it makes people scared or doing bad things but believing in fate is bad because it makes people lazy.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
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neat ideas, all -

However, ideally I think an awesome timeline would have both Carvaka and Yangism (an early Chinese Egoist school of ethics) become major schools of philosophy in both China and India. An Egoist and materialist east as a stereotype rather than the "one with everything" altruist stereotype associated with it otl would be a fun change of pace.

This would kick butt!
 

PhilippeO

Banned
eh, one could argue that Chinese Empire are de facto Legalist that using Confucianism as smokescreen. many aspect of Legalism is preserved in China.

Legalism can be considered non-confucian philosophy that prevail.
 
Interesting consensus on Mohism here.

Besides being a philosopher, Mohisim's founder Mozi (and perhaps his disciples as well) is also well known as a master in siege defensive tactics, which allowed him to be a sort of mercenary for hire, only that his "fee" is for said employer rulers to hear out his philosophies.

Now instead of just offering a "lesson for free" to said rulers, who often took his skills for granted, he (or his disciples) could somehow channel such talents into a firm monetary foundation from which to build his philosophical following, perhaps even a pseudo-independent city-state of Mohist Thinkers cum Siege Defenders for Hire. Feel free to expand upon this.
 
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