It was during the Warring States era that the major philosophies of China, Confucianism, Mohism, Legalism, and Taoism, arose, along with philosophies that later fell into obscurity, like Agriculturalism, Chinese Naturalism, and the Logicians.

The Analects stress the importance of ritual, but also the importance of ' ren ', which loosely translates as ' human-heartedness, Confucianism, along with Legalism, is responsible for creating the world ’ s first meritocracy, which holds that one's status should be determined by education and character rather than ancestry, wealth, or friendship.

* 233 BC – Han Fei, Chinese philosopher who, along with Li Si, has developed Xun Zi's philosophy into the doctrine embodied by the School of Law ( or Legalism ) ( b. c. 280 BC )

* Han Fei, Chinese philosopher who, along with Li Si, has developed Xun Zi's philosophy into the doctrine embodied by the School of Law ( or Legalism ) ( b. c. 280 BC )

In China also along with Confucianism developed the tradition of Legalism.

280 – 233 BC ), also known as Han Feizi, was a Chinese philosopher who, along with Li Si, Gongsun Yang, Shen Dao and Shen Buhai, developed the doctrine of Legalism.

However, because most people have difficulty following or understanding the dao, Confucianism ( along with a healthy dose of Legalism ) is necessary to enact social order.

Following the abandonment of Legalism in China after the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism became the official state ideology of China, until it was replaced by the " Three Principles of the People " ideology with the establishment of the Republic of China, and then Maoist Communism after the ROC was replaced by the People's Republic of China in Mainland China.

In this context, it is more readily construed as meaning " school of thought ", since it is also used to construct the names of philosophical schools contemporary with Confucianism: for example, the Chinese names for Legalism and Mohism end in jiā.

Most Chinese emperors used a mix of Legalism and Confucianism as their ruling doctrine, often with the latter embellishing the former.

Legalism as a coherent philosophy disappeared largely due to its relationship with the unpopular authoritarian rule of Qin Shi Huang, however, many of its ideas and institutions would continue to influence Chinese philosophy until the end of Imperial rule during the Xinhai Revolution.

Legalism, in accordance with Han Fei's interpretation, could encourage the state to be a militaristic autarky.

As Moism lost support by the time of the Han, the main philosophical contenders were Legalism, which Confucian thought somewhat absorbed, the teachings of Lao-tzu, whose focus on more mystic ideas kept it from direct conflict with Confucianism, and the new Buddhist religion, which gained acceptance during the Southern and Northern Dynasties era.

Eventually, a modified form of Confucianism ( heavily infused with elements of Legalism ) became the dominant political philosophy in China during the Imperial Period.

In summary, although both Confucianism and Legalism were developed in a period of turmoil and both were aimed at the re-unification of the country, the two theories went opposite directions with one advocating for and one against the use of formal laws to achieve social order.

Later authors combined Daoism with Confucianism and Legalism, such as Liu An ( 2nd century BCE ), whose Huainanzi ( The Philosophers of Huai-nan ) also added to the fields of geography and topography.

* Fascism, autocracy, and totalitarianism are ideologies with similarities to Legalism.

Legalism is sometimes confused with obedience.

Legalism is also confused with discipline, which is often spoken of in a positive light.

Shang Yang's theories were further elaborated later by Han Fei, who combined Shang's ideas with those of Shen Buhai and Shen Dao, that would form the core of the philosophies of Legalism.

Hen Fei's interpretation of Legalism stressed that the autocrat will be able achieve the ultimate ends of Legalist philosophy of firmly control the state with the mastering of three concepts: his position of power ( 勢, Shì ); certain techniques ( 術, Shù ), and laws ( 法, Fǎ ) as described in his classic work, the Han Feizi ( book ).

A position paper titled The Ministry and Auxiliary Office with Respect to Legalism, which was presented at that conference in an attempt to resolve the controversy, has since been adopted unanimously by the remaining congregations of the LCR.

Mohism though popular at first due to its emphasis on brotherly love versus harsh Qin Legalism, fell out of favour during the Han Dynasty due to the efforts of Confucians in establishing their views as political orthodoxy.

( The Gospel of John, which is the only gospel where Nicodemus is mentioned, particularly portrays the sect as divided and willing to debate ) Because of the New Testament's frequent depictions of Pharisees as self-righteous rule-followers ( see also Woes of the Pharisees and Legalism ( theology )), the word " pharisee " ( and its derivatives: " pharisaical ", etc.

Legalism remained influential until the emperors of the Han Dynasty adopted Daoism and later Confucianism as official doctrine.

Legalism remained influential until the emperors of the Han Dynasty adopted Daoism and later Confucianism as official doctrine.

* Legalism ( Chinese philosophy ), Chinese political philosophy based on the idea that a highly efficient and powerful government is the key to social order

The Hundred Schools of Thought of Chinese philosophy blossomed during this period, and such influential intellectual movements as Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism and Mohism were founded, partly in response to the changing political world.

The text is fundamental to both philosophical and religious Taoism ( Daojia,, Pinyin: Dàojiā ; Daojiao,, Pinyin: Dàojiào ) and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Daoist words and concepts.

* Chinese Legalism

The two major Chinese philosophical schools discussed below, Confucianism and Legalism, strongly influenced the idea of law in China.

Confucianism and Legalism are two major Classical legal theories or philosophies developed during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, a time that saw the most impressive proliferation of new ideas and philosophies in Chinese history.

Although there were a host of schools, four of them came to influence Chinese government and culture in meaningful ways: Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Legalism.

Other philosophers, theorists, and schools of thought in this era were Mozi, founder of Mohism ; Mencius, a famous Confucian who expanded upon Confucius ' legacy ; Shang Yang and Han Fei, responsible for the development of ancient Chinese Legalism ( the core philosophy of the Qin Dynasty ); and Xun Zi, who was arguably the center of ancient Chinese intellectual life during his time, even more so than iconic intellectual figures such as Mencius.

* Shen Dao, Chinese philosopher known for his blend of Legalism and Taoism ( approximate date ) ( d. c. 275 BC )

The most important of these include the Classics of Confucianism, of Daoism, of Mohism, of Legalism, as well as works of military science and Chinese history.

* Legalism ( Chinese philosophy )

In Chinese history, Legalism (; pinyin: fă jiā ) was one of the main philosophic currents during the Warring States Period, although the term itself was invented in the Han Dynasty and thus does not refer to an organized ' school ' of thought.

Legalism fully emerged during the Warring States Period, a critical point in ancient Chinese history.

* " Chinese Legalism: Documentary Materials and Ancient Totalitarianism "

* Legalism ( Chinese philosophy )

Category: Legalism ( Chinese philosophy )