WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Legalism, school of Chinese philosophy that attained prominence during the turbulent Warring States era (475–221 bce) and, through the influence of the philosophers Shang Yang, Li Si, and Hanfeizi, formed the ideological basis of China’s first imperial dynasty, the Qin (221–207 bce).

Detailed explanation-2: -Legalism became the official philosophy of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) when the first emperor of China, Shi Huangdi (r. 221-210 BCE), rose to power and banned all other philosophies as a corrupting influence.

Detailed explanation-3: -Shi Huangdi, however, preferred another school of thought called Legalism. The Legalists believed that people were basically motivated by self-interest and therefore had to be controlled by a strong ruler and stern punishments.

Detailed explanation-4: -But let’s rewind the tape to about a century and a half earlier to understand a key influence on the Qin Dynasty: Legalism. Legalism promotes the notion of strict law and order and harsh, collective punishments, ideas that influenced Qin Shi Huangdi’s despotism and centralized rule.

Detailed explanation-5: -The first emperor believed that Legalism would help him rule his empire. He ordered Legalists to write new laws. The Legalist laws gave district officials the power to investigate crimes, arrest suspects, and act as judges. The courts were allowed to beat suspects until they confessed.