Baijia (Hundred Schools of Thought)

The Hundred Schools of Thought was a period during China's Spring and Autumn and Warring States eras (roughly 770–221 BCE) when many philosophers actively debated ideas about politics, ethics, and society. It was a time of intellectual diversity, with schools like Confucianism emphasizing morality and social harmony, Daoism focusing on harmony with nature, and Legalism advocating strict laws for order. These competing ideas influenced Chinese culture and governance, shaping the foundation of Chinese philosophy. The era's rich exchange of ideas ultimately contributed to the development of China's cultural and political landscape.