Qin Shi Huangdi Legalism

Legalism was first noted during the rule of Qin Shi Huangdi. He expanded what we now call China to a unified country by savagely conquering his neighboring kingdoms. Legalism was marked by controlling subjects by punitive laws (Lubow, 2009). This form of rule had a system that encouraged community members to hold each other accountable to the rulers – if it was proven someone was breaking the law, and no one turned him in, all would be punished. It was also with this strict code of order and obedience that Qin Shi Huangdi was able to build his Terra Cotta army. The punishment for such things as not paying fees of taxes, or even if work was deemed incompetent, was forced labor on the Emperor’s building projects (Emperor’s Ghost, 2014).

They all generally had the same idea- that in order to rule a country there needed to be strict adherence to law, kindness was not needed. Some of this was a result of the very unstable time period of the Qin dynasty, but also it was due to a school of thought that people were inherently bad and forcing them to obey was the only method that would be understood (Verrill, n.d.). Confucianism is based on the teachings of Kong Fuzi. These teachings became a set of writings called the school of the learned or Ru jia. The government is the most important social institution in Confucianism, similar to Legalism, the most important relationship was between the ruler and subject. Unlike Legalism, however Confucian beliefs are that a ruler who is fair and just, would have control of his subjects (Verrill, n.d.). In other words, leading by example rather than by show of force is the preferred Confucius way of

All these relationships hinge on the concept of protection in exchange for obedience. Again, this is similar to legalism – that there exists a person who is “in charge” who expects obedience, but instead of punishment, obedience is shown via respect and the “in charge” person demonstrating the virtuous life to lead. One reason for the similar style of hierarchy, is that Legalism and Confucianism both were initially formed during times of great upheaval (Verrill, n.d.) Daoism focuses on nature and how one should just accept things as they are. Daoism was founded by Lao Zi and did not have a set of rules, it was more of a way of thinking. Of the three philosophies discussed, it is the one that is truly a personal philosophy, rather than a philosophy of government/subject interactions. Daoism is concerned, not with politics, but with teaching people to be at peace with themselves, Lao Zi believed that in order for peace to happen within the country, people had to be at peace with themselves (Verrill,