1. Legalism

2. 3 basic principles of legalism
Humans are inherently evil and driven by selfish desires.
Confucian morality is unrealistic and does not work to establish & maintain order.
Strict laws & harsh punishments are needed to create & maintain order.

3. Core Ideas of Legalism
The law must be clearly written and made public. Laws should reward those who obey them, and punish severely those who dare to break them
A leader should be mysterious and detached from his subjects. They should not be able to flatter or bribe him, and they shoul d not be able predict his motivations.
A good ruler’s main concern should be in keeping power, he h as no obligation to act humanely.

4. Han Fei (한비) was a minor noble born to the Han kingdom, but working for the Qin
He studied Confucianism under a confucian “realist”, but soon rejected Confucianism entirely.
He had a bad stutter, but was a brilliant writer.
He wrote letters to convince his cousin, the king of Han to adopt his “legalist” ideas, but he didn’t, and Han was soon taken over by Qin. (Qin Shi-Huang 진시황 )
He believed Confucianism was too easily corrupted.

5. Han Fei’s Letter to Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang wants to invade Han and the Han sends its most fa mous scholar Han Fei.
Qin Shi Huang had heard about Han Fei and wanted to meet him.
With his letter, Han Fei persuades Qin to attack Chu first.

6. Han Fei’s Letter to Qin Shi Huang
Han Fei writes a letter explaining three reasons why Qin should attack Chu first instead of Han
Han is already under the protection (kow-tow) of Qin, and if Qin attacks Han, Qin will loose the trust of other nations.
When Han falls, Chu will immediately make an alliance with Wei, and it will become difficult to attack.
After conquering Chu, Wei and Qi will become easier to conquer. Then Qin can conquer Han with one letter.

7. Han Fei & Qin Shi Huang
After Qin’s unification of China, Han Fei serves at the courts of Qin Shi Huang.
He is later framed by rival politicians and dies a sad death.
However, his ideas continues to influence people today.

8. Legalism & Qin Dynasty
It provided the main philosophy of the Qin Dynasty ( BC)
After the Qin dynasty, it was discre dited and ceased to be as influenti al a school of thought
Han rulers returned to Confucianis m as a means to govern
Chin Shi Huang Di praised Han Fei and loved his writing. Legends says he very much wanted to meet Han Fei, but Han was forced to drink poison before they could meet.

9. The Han Feizi His most famous book is called the Han Feizi (한비자).
It synthesizes the ideas of earlier leg alists like Shang Yang.
It is still highly regarded in Chinese L iterature for its excellent writing and influential ideas.

10. Shang Yang -Another minor official and advisor to the Qin.
-His ideas helped make the Qin stronger, and more successful
-He believed human nature was flawed
-He gave promotions based on merit rather than family connections.
-Set very strict laws for citizens and soldiers. Died a horrible death bef ore China was unified.