WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Many people believed that humans were naturally selfish and needed strict laws to keep them under control. As a result, the philosophy known as legalism became the overriding principle for organizing government. Warring States Period, China c. 260 BCE.

Detailed explanation-2: -Legalists believed that people were driven by self-interest. They believed that to be good members of society, people had to be controlled by a strong ruler, strict laws, and harsh punishments. The ruler should be all-powerful.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Legalists advocated government by a system of laws that rigidly prescribed punishments and rewards for specific behaviours. They stressed the direction of all human activity toward the goal of increasing the power of the ruler and the state.

Detailed explanation-4: -The founder of the Legalistic school was Hsün Tzu or Hsün-tzu. The most important principle in his thinking was that humans are inherently evil and inclined toward criminal and selfish behavior. Thus, if humans are allowed to engage in their natural proclivities, the result will be conflict and social disorder.

Detailed explanation-5: -Founder of legalism and believed that severe punishments were the only way to control people.-The Code of Law must be drafted and published. Laws should always be more important than individual interests and actions. All persons are considered equal before the law.