LEGACIES OF THE EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (LEGALISM)
corrupt-immoral
dishonest
and
self-serving-serving
one's own interests,
especially without concern
for the needs or interests of
others
submissive-inclined or
willing to submit to orders
or wishes of others
hereditary-passed down
from an ancestor to an heir
68
The Eastern Zhou Dynasty is often nicknamed the Hundred Schools of
Thought Period because so many new ideas were born during that era.
Some of these new ideas became China's most important, influential, and
enduring philosophies, ideas, and religions. The dynasty was falling apart;
states were constantly at war with one another; rulers were increasingly
corrupt; and society was at times very chaotic. People began to question the
purpose of life, debate the role of the government, and discuss ways to
improve society. Rulers at that time were very open to new ideas because
they were always seeking ways to gain advantage over their enemies.
A new political theory that emerged during this time was called Legalism.
No single person is credited with founding it, but the most famous Legalist
was Han Feizi, who wrote the best-known and most detailed book about
Legalism. Han Feizi and other Legalists believed that human nature was
innately self-serving and selfish, ~hereas Confucianists believed that
human nature was innately good. Moreover, Legalists believed that no
amount of education or training could change a person's nature and that
they would always be self-serving and selfish. Therefore, rulers needed an
effective method of controlling the people.
Legalism emphasized the importance of laws. Legalists believed that rulers
should establish a set of laws that applied equally to everyone without
exception, and firmly enforce them using punishments and rewards. They
believed that severe punishments would keep laws from being broken, and
generous rewards would lead people to do what was best for their country.
If laws were not broken and people did what was best for their country,
society would become orderly, and the country could grow strong. In fact,
Legalists placed the country and its interests ahead of all human or moral
concerns and viewed people as having no worth apart from their possible
use to the country. Legalists were also in favor of war as a means of
strengthening
the power of a ruler, expanding the country, and making the
people strong, disciplined, and submissiv~.16
One of the Zhou's most powerful
In doing so, it did away with the
went with it. The feudal structure
and sell land. The state imposed
many laws.
states, Qin, adopted this way of thinking.
aristocracy and the hereditary rights that
was disbanded, and citizens could buy
a heavy tax on citizens and ruled with
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