Hundred Schools of Thought

Timeline

1. -500–-450State of Lu · ShandongAs ritual order collapsed in the late Spring and Autumn period, private schools gradually emerged. Confucius founded the Confucian school and traveled among the states teaching, while Mozi also formed Mohist thought at this time, laying the social and academic foundations for the Warring States debates.
2. -450–-350Jixia · ShandongIn the mid-Warring States period, Confucian, Mohist, Daoist, Legalist, Logician, and Yin-Yang schools each established doctrines; the Jixia Academy in Qi gathered scholars, and representative figures such as Mencius, Zhuangzi, Shang Yang, and Shen Buhai each put forward their views, intensifying intellectual debate.
3. -350–-300Various states · ChinaXunzi synthesized Confucianism, Han Fei integrated Legalist thought, Zou Yan advocated the Yin-Yang and Five Phases, and Gongsun Long debated names and realities; the masters criticized and absorbed one another, producing the most diverse and flourishing intellectual scene in Chinese history.