Han Fei-Tzu Legalist Philosophy

The Legalist philosophy, started by the sage Han Fei-Tzu, has rules about how the government should function based on their ideals about human nature, the punishment-reward system, and administration. Legalists believe human nature is to be evil, lazy, and want rewards for good actions. “Indeed, it is the people’s nature to delight in disorder and detach themselves from legal restraints...to abhor toil and enjoy ease.” (201). This is important to remember about the students of the school. In order for the students to not follow their impulses, they need to be restrained through laws and penalties for their bad actions. Han Fei-Tzu teaches this concept: “the main responsibility of the (school) with regard to the (students) was to enforce strict …show more content…
The rule about keeping money safe has been slightly altered. The rule dictates that students are strongly discouraged from keeping large sums of money in the dorm because it can get stolen, and should keep it in a Groton S.A.F.E. account instead. If stolen, whoever is able to identify the criminal is given a reward. However, any person who refuses to disclose the secrets of the culprit is given the same punishment as the thief. This way, all criminal activity will be quickly discovered. Once the stolen money is found it is given directly to the school. This is because the owner of the money should not have kept it in the dorm in the first place and therefore doesn’t deserve the money. The money is also handed over to the school to help promote the school’s welfare, which is every student’s duty to contribute to. Third Form dorms are expected to be quiet from 10:00-10:30. Although this rule is in the handbook already, the school currently does not enforce it. From now on, this rule will be strictly followed. The administrators should not trust the students to be quiet on their own. The school has also amended the rule about pets. The rule is that students are not allowed to have pets on campus. If a pet is found, the pet will be put to death and the student will also receive multiple restrictions. Although it is a light offense, light ones should be punished as harshly as heavy offenses …show more content…
They both do not approve of the use of harsh laws in governing. The Taoists oppose laws and only follow the natural order of things. The Confucianists believe that the gentlemen class must lead with virtue rather than using laws. However, under the Legalist ruler Shi Huangdi, the Great Wall of China was created. It could not have been built by simply following the “Tao” or through the lone efforts of the junzi, it required the common people following the ruler’s orders and laws. This proves that in order to prosper, a society needs strict laws. The Confucianists and Taoists would also disagree with the abolishment of the prefect system because they don’t believe human nature is bad. The followers of the Xunzi branch of Confucianism would approve of the rule because they agree with the Legalist view of human nature. Yet, the Mencius branch of Confucianism and the Taoists believe that humans are born good. This thought process does not explain why chimps and our ancient hunter-gatherer ancestors are violent. The amendments to the rules (for example the rule about pets) enforce severe punishments for all crimes. The Taoists disagree: “Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn’t try to force issues.” (197). The Confucianists also do not promote punishment, and instead, encourage leaders to gain