The period of the ‘Hundred Schools of Thought’ was of great intellectual expansion in China. Regional rulers rose during the period between 476 and 221 BC. They waged bitter wars. So, this period is known as the period of warring states. Thinkers and teachers offered their services to the new rulers. Hence, this period is also called the ‘Period of the Hundred Schools of Thought’. Taoism arose at this time. Great philosopher Lao- tze was the founder of Taoism.
Confucianism was the other major philosophy. Its founder Confucius was the greatest among the Chinese philosophers. Mohism, founded by Mo Di, too exercised some influence.