Legalism

Does Legalism have a founder?

- No, it does not have a founder - It evolved from the political reforms developed by various leaders and philosophers during the Warring States period, including Shen Buhai and Shang Yang, who was a leader in the Qin state

Who was the first emperor of a unified China?

- Qin Shi Huang and was a big believer in Legalism; also a Qin emperor

Extra Information

- a standardized language, currency, etc. - under Qin Shi Huang, the centralized government also builds roads connecting the different parts of the country, new irrigation systems, and the Great Wall of China

When did it become more organized?

- became more organized as a system of belief once Han Fei, who was a prince in the state of Han, wrote down a lot of the thoughts of previous Legalist thinkers in a book, called the Han Feizi around 240BCE

What is legalism also known as?

- known as Fajia (means "the methods of the experts"

What is the main idea of Legalism?

- main idea is that people are inherently bad and need strict rules to be controlled - Legalist' main goal is a unified, efficient society - want trained officials in charge of government instead of nobles, they want to continue to expand China's territory, and they think the country needs to always be prepared to go to war - Legalists do not about about morals or values, only about following the rules and respecting authority - this religion had a political philosophy rather than a moral philosophy or religion

When did legalism become a major belief system?

- once the leaders of the Qin state took over all the other states, ending the Warring State period and putting in place the Qin Dynasty

Are there punishments in Legalism?

- yes there are strict punishments for breaking the rules and they apply not only to the person who broke the rules, but also to their family, friends, etc. - the laws/punishments are standardized throughout the whole empire