Yangism: The Yang Zhu

Description: Yangism is a Chinese philosophical school of thought that emphasizes the importance of individual freedom, self-interest, and the pursuit of personal happiness. It is named after its founder, Yang Zhu, who lived during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE).
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy eastern philosophy yangism
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What is the central tenet of Yangism?

  1. The pursuit of personal happiness

  2. The importance of social harmony

  3. The cultivation of virtue

  4. The rejection of all desires


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yangism emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and the pursuit of personal happiness. It rejects the Confucian emphasis on social harmony and the cultivation of virtue.

According to Yang Zhu, what is the highest good?

  1. Wealth

  2. Power

  3. Fame

  4. Personal happiness


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that the highest good is personal happiness. He argued that people should pursue their own interests and desires, regardless of what others think or say.

What did Yang Zhu believe was the cause of human suffering?

  1. Ignorance

  2. Desire

  3. Attachment

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that human suffering is caused by ignorance, desire, and attachment. He argued that people should strive to eliminate these three things in order to achieve happiness.

What did Yang Zhu advocate as the way to achieve happiness?

  1. Living in accordance with nature

  2. Following the teachings of the sages

  3. Pursuing wealth and power

  4. Indulging in sensual pleasures


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that the way to achieve happiness is to live in accordance with nature. He argued that people should follow their natural instincts and desires, and avoid artificial constraints and conventions.

What did Yang Zhu believe was the ultimate fate of all human beings?

  1. Death

  2. Reincarnation

  3. Nirvana

  4. Union with the Tao


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that death is the ultimate fate of all human beings. He argued that there is no afterlife, and that people should therefore make the most of their lives while they can.

How did Yang Zhu's philosophy compare to that of Confucius?

  1. It was more individualistic

  2. It was more collectivist

  3. It was more naturalistic

  4. It was more supernatural


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yang Zhu's philosophy was more individualistic than that of Confucius. He emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the pursuit of personal happiness, while Confucius emphasized the importance of social harmony and the cultivation of virtue.

What was the impact of Yangism on Chinese thought and culture?

  1. It was widely accepted and became the dominant philosophy of China

  2. It was rejected by the ruling class and had little influence

  3. It was influential among certain groups, such as the literati and the merchants

  4. It was eventually absorbed into other Chinese philosophies, such as Confucianism and Taoism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Yangism was influential among certain groups in China, such as the literati and the merchants. However, it was never widely accepted and did not become the dominant philosophy of China.

Which of the following is a key concept in Yangism?

  1. Ren

  2. Li

  3. Yi

  4. Ziyou


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ziyou, which means 'individual freedom', is a key concept in Yangism. Yang Zhu believed that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests and desires, without being constrained by social norms or conventions.

According to Yang Zhu, what is the ultimate goal of human life?

  1. To achieve immortality

  2. To become a sage

  3. To fulfill one's desires

  4. To attain enlightenment


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that the ultimate goal of human life is to fulfill one's desires. He argued that people should not deny or suppress their desires, but rather embrace them and seek to satisfy them.

What did Yang Zhu believe was the source of human suffering?

  1. Ignorance

  2. Attachment

  3. Desire

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yang Zhu believed that human suffering is caused by a combination of ignorance, attachment, and desire. He argued that people suffer because they are ignorant of the true nature of reality, because they are attached to things that are impermanent, and because they desire things that they cannot have.

How did Yang Zhu's philosophy compare to that of Mozi?

  1. It was more individualistic

  2. It was more collectivist

  3. It was more naturalistic

  4. It was more supernatural


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yang Zhu's philosophy was more individualistic than that of Mozi. Mozi emphasized the importance of social harmony and the cultivation of virtue, while Yang Zhu emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the pursuit of personal happiness.

What was the impact of Yangism on Chinese political thought?

  1. It led to the development of legalism

  2. It led to the development of Confucianism

  3. It led to the development of Taoism

  4. It had no significant impact


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yangism had no significant impact on Chinese political thought. It was primarily a philosophical school of thought that focused on individual ethics and the pursuit of personal happiness.

Which of the following is a famous saying of Yang Zhu?

  1. Life is short, so enjoy it while you can

  2. The wise man seeks harmony with nature

  3. The superior man is not concerned with his own life or death

  4. All men are equal under heaven


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Life is short, so enjoy it while you can' is a famous saying of Yang Zhu. It reflects his hedonistic philosophy and his belief that the ultimate goal of human life is to fulfill one's desires.

How did Yang Zhu's philosophy compare to that of the Legalists?

  1. It was more individualistic

  2. It was more collectivist

  3. It was more naturalistic

  4. It was more supernatural


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Yang Zhu's philosophy was more individualistic than that of the Legalists. The Legalists emphasized the importance of a strong state and the rule of law, while Yang Zhu emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the pursuit of personal happiness.

What was the impact of Yangism on Chinese economic thought?

  1. It led to the development of mercantilism

  2. It led to the development of capitalism

  3. It led to the development of socialism

  4. It had no significant impact


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yangism had no significant impact on Chinese economic thought. It was primarily a philosophical school of thought that focused on individual ethics and the pursuit of personal happiness.

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