The Most Famous Chinese Philosopher, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the philosopher you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 2, 2024 07:03

Throughout history, Chinese philosophers have shaped not only Eastern thought but have also made significant inroads into global philosophy. Their teachings on ethics, politics, and society continue to influence discussions and intellectual debates worldwide. By ranking these scholars, we gain a better understanding of which ideas resonate most in contemporary times and why they remain influential. This process of ranking helps to illuminate which philosophies are embraced widely and how they adapt to modern challenges. Your votes help highlight the teachings that offer the most profound insights into dealing with today's complex issues. It’s more than just a list; it's a reflection of collective wisdom and evolving human thought.

Who Is the Most Famous Chinese Philosopher?

1

30
votes

Confucius

Confucius is arguably the most famous Chinese philosopher. He is known for his teachings on morality, ethics, and social relationships. His philosophy, Confucianism, has had a significant impact on Chinese culture and society.
2

31
votes

Laozi

Laozi is another important Chinese philosopher, known for his teaching on Taoism. He is believed to have written the Tao Te Ching, one of the most influential works in Chinese philosophy.
3

11
votes

Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi was a philosopher who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his writings on Taoism and his belief in the importance of free will and individualism.
4

20
votes

Mozi

Mozi was a philosopher who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his teachings on utilitarianism and his belief in the importance of social welfare.
5

21
votes

Mencius

Mencius was a philosopher who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his teachings on Confucianism and his belief in the inherent goodness of human nature.
6

15
votes

Xunzi

Xunzi was a philosopher who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his teachings on Confucianism and his belief in the importance of education and ritual.
7

12
votes

Huangdan2060 · CC0

Han Feizi

Han Feizi was a philosopher who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his teachings on Legalism and his belief in the importance of strict laws and punishments.
8

9
votes

Wang Yangming

Wang Yangming was a philosopher who lived during the Ming dynasty. He is known for his teachings on Neo-Confucianism and his belief in the importance of self-cultivation and moral integrity.
9

7
votes

Zhang Zai

Zhang Zai was a philosopher who lived during the Song dynasty. He is known for his teachings on Neo-Confucianism and his belief in the importance of the unity of opposites.
10

10
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Cheng Hao

Cheng Hao was a philosopher who lived during the Song dynasty. He is known for his teachings on Neo-Confucianism and his belief in the importance of the unity of knowledge and action.

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Chinese philosopher. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or philosopher is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1199 views
165 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each philosopher once every 24 hours. The rank of each philosopher is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous chinese philosopher

China is a country rich in culture, history, and philosophy. Philosophy has played a significant role in shaping Chinese culture and society, and many Chinese philosophers have made significant contributions to the field. One of the most famous and influential Chinese philosophers is Confucius, whose teachings on ethics, morality, and social order have had a profound impact on Chinese society for over two thousand years. Other notable Chinese philosophers include Laozi, who founded Taoism, and Zhuangzi, who is known for his teachings on the nature of reality and the human experience. In this poll, we aim to determine who is the most famous Chinese philosopher according to public opinion.