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Origin
Beliefs
Government
Role of Women
Fun Facts
100
Who were some of the important individuals(founders) of legalism?
Shang Yang and Han Feizi were two important individuals of legalism. Shang Yang was born around 390 BCE in the State of Wei. He was a well-respected government official and was one of the founders of legalism. The Book of Lord Shang contains some of his ideas of legalism. Shang Yang was killed in about 338 BCE. He was tied to two chariots and was torn apart. Han Feizi was born around 280 BCE and died in 233 BCE. He was a well-known legalist philosopher and furthered develop legalism during the Warring States era. Han Feizi died in 238 BCE. He was convinced to commit suicide by Li Si, another legalist.
100
Why were laws made?
They were made to maintain order in society.
100
How did the government enforce its laws?
If laws were broken, harsh punishments followed. Rewards were awarded for good behavior. Books and philosophers of other philosophies were also burned so that the people did not get ideas about other ways of life and rebel.
100
What were women seen as through a legalism's eyes?
Women were seen as the property of men. They were servers of the home and had to cook, clean and bear children for their husbands.
100
What is the following? 法家
法家 (Fa jia)is the symbol for legalism.
200
When did legalism begin?
During the Warring States era(475 BCE-221 BCE).
200
Why were books of other philosophies burned?
Shang Huang Di ordered books containing knowledge about other philosophies burned. Only books that supported legalism were spared. This way, people would not have access to knowledge of other ways of life, and would not rebel.
200
What is shi((勢)?
Shi is power. Legalists believed the power comes from the ruler's position, not the ruler itself. The ruler should be accountable for the actions of his subordinates .
200
What were some of the rights denied to women?
Women were not allowed to own property, appear in court or attend schools. Some women of wealth families learned to read and write only because their fathers allowed them to do so.
200
Which emperor adopted legalism and enforced during his rule? During which dynasty?
Shang Huang Di, during the Qin dynasty.
300
Where did legalism start?
Legalism began in the state of Qin.
300
Why are people bad?
Legalists believed that people were evil because it was the nature of humans. It was believed that everyone was selfish and cared only about their own self-interests. They believed that it was only through strict laws that order can be maintained.
300
What is fa(法)?
Fa is the law or principle by which the people had to follow. A code of law had to be written down and posted so the people knew the laws. If a law is broken, the wrongdoer is punished severely and publicly. This instills fear in others and prevents more crimes.
300
Could women gain status in Chinese society? If so how?
Yes, they can become powerful through their fathers or husbands.
300
Where is the following quote from? “Hardly ten men of true integrity and good faith can be found today, and yet the offices of the state number in the hundreds. If they must be filled by men of integrity and good faith, then there will never be enough men to go around; and if the offices are left unfilled, then those whose business it is to govern will dwindle in numbers while disorderly men increase. Therefore the way of the enlightened ruler is to unify the laws instead of seeking for wise men, to lay down firm policies instead of longing for men of good faith. Hence his laws never fail him, and there is no felony or deceit among his officials. ...”
It is from a selection from the Han Feizi: Chapter 49, “The Five Vermin.”
400
How did legalism spread?
Shang Huang Di conquered the other states and united all of China. After Shang Huang Di conquered and united China into one empire, he adopted the ideas legalism and enforced them within his empire. Legalism became the main philosophy during his rule.
400
How was order maintained in society?
The government had the power to create strict laws in order to maintain order. If a crime was committed, the lawbreaker was harshly punished. Punishments included cangues (wooden collars and cages), chains tied around the neck and attached to a very heavy rock, and publicly whipped.
400
What is shu(術 )?
Shu is technique or method. It is the way the ruler maintains power and enforces the law. The ruler uses special tactics to make sure his administrators don't abuse their power and maintain order in society.
400
What happens to a woman when her husband died?
She might take over her late husband's position, but this rarely happen. Often the women become a member of her husband's family's servant.
400
Where is the following primary source quote from? “Humaneness may make one shed tears and be reluctant to apply penalties, but law makes it clear that such penalties must be applied. The ancient kings allowed law to be supreme and did not give in to their tearful longings. Hence it is obvious that humaneness cannot be used to achieve order in the state. ...”
It is also from a selection from the Han Feizi: Chapter 49, “The Five Vermin.”