Compare Legalism And Confucianism
Chieh Wu
Professor Yulian Wu
September 8, 2016
HIST 105
Confucianism and Legalist Ideas In the ancient times when China was in the period of philosophical ferment, many ideas of governing a society has been established. Because of the harsh environment due to the fact that endless wars that occurred throughout the Warring states period, this era was the golden age of ancient philosophy in China. The influence of the war lead to philosophical ideas being developed and discussed by philosophers all over the country, and eventually, became the hundred schools of thoughts. Many famous philosophers in this period includes Confucius, Mencius, Meng Zi, Han Feizi, and many others. The two ideas that I’m most interest is Confucian and legalist ideas. …show more content…
Not like Confucianism where they believe that humans have the potential to become good if taught right, legalists believe that not only is human nature is bad, moreover, they think it is not possible for them to become good. This is exactly why the government needs policies and punishments to regulate the society. They also believe that because there are so many people out there and not everyone knows how much work the lord has put into governing the country, having good morals is not necessary when it comes to leading the people. Another suggestion form legalists on ruling a state is to have power as a lord. In the section that talked about lords said,” Lord’s lives are endangered and their states perished when high ministers are too honored and the ruler’s attendants are too influential”. (Ebrey, Sourcebook, 34). This idea suggests that if a ruler doesn’t have its power then he will not hold on to his state for long. The text also used tigers and leopards to illustrate that fangs and claws are the reason why tigers and leopards can defeat men, but if you take those away from them, then they will be weak and eventually lose to human. Same for lords, if they do not obtain power and is weaker than the ministers and attendants, then the state will fall. Compared to Confucianism, legalists are less humane and that’s why it is crucial for the ruler to have power so that he can rule his empire. Even though it may sound like legalist is bad because you have punishments, but they also have awards. If you are doing what you are supposed to then you will be awarded, but if you don’t then you will be
Professor Yulian Wu
September 8, 2016
HIST 105
Confucianism and Legalist Ideas In the ancient times when China was in the period of philosophical ferment, many ideas of governing a society has been established. Because of the harsh environment due to the fact that endless wars that occurred throughout the Warring states period, this era was the golden age of ancient philosophy in China. The influence of the war lead to philosophical ideas being developed and discussed by philosophers all over the country, and eventually, became the hundred schools of thoughts. Many famous philosophers in this period includes Confucius, Mencius, Meng Zi, Han Feizi, and many others. The two ideas that I’m most interest is Confucian and legalist ideas. …show more content…
Not like Confucianism where they believe that humans have the potential to become good if taught right, legalists believe that not only is human nature is bad, moreover, they think it is not possible for them to become good. This is exactly why the government needs policies and punishments to regulate the society. They also believe that because there are so many people out there and not everyone knows how much work the lord has put into governing the country, having good morals is not necessary when it comes to leading the people. Another suggestion form legalists on ruling a state is to have power as a lord. In the section that talked about lords said,” Lord’s lives are endangered and their states perished when high ministers are too honored and the ruler’s attendants are too influential”. (Ebrey, Sourcebook, 34). This idea suggests that if a ruler doesn’t have its power then he will not hold on to his state for long. The text also used tigers and leopards to illustrate that fangs and claws are the reason why tigers and leopards can defeat men, but if you take those away from them, then they will be weak and eventually lose to human. Same for lords, if they do not obtain power and is weaker than the ministers and attendants, then the state will fall. Compared to Confucianism, legalists are less humane and that’s why it is crucial for the ruler to have power so that he can rule his empire. Even though it may sound like legalist is bad because you have punishments, but they also have awards. If you are doing what you are supposed to then you will be awarded, but if you don’t then you will be