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The Philosophy of Warring States China. A Ridiculously Brief History Xia 夏 (2205-1766 B.C.E.)...
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Transcript of The Philosophy of Warring States China. A Ridiculously Brief History Xia 夏 (2205-1766 B.C.E.)...
A Ridiculously Brief History
Xia 夏 (2205-1766 B.C.E.)
Shang 商 (1751-1122 B.C.E.)
Western Zhou 西周 (1122-770 B.C.E.)
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Xia 夏 (2205-1766 B.C.E.)
May not have existed (so far there's no archaeological evidence) Traditional histories say that its last ruler, King Jie 桀 , was an evil tyrant
Shang 商 (1751-1122 B.C.E.)
Western Zhou 西周 (1122-770 B.C.E.)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Xia 夏 (2205-1766 B.C.E.)
Shang 商 (1751-1122 B.C.E.)
Has been partially corroborated by archaeological evidence (oracle bones) Can trace it back to about 1250 B.C.E.
Traditional histories say that its last ruler, King Zhow 紂 , was an evil tyrant
Western Zhou 西周 (1122-770 B.C.E.)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Shang 商 (1751-1122 B.C.E.)
Western Zhou 西周 (1122-770 B.C.E.)
Traditional histories say that King Wen 文 (“The Cultured King”) tried to reform evil King Zhow through virtuous example
But King Wu 武 (“The Martial King”), son of King Wen, defeated King Zhow in battle According to traditional histories, King Zhow had lost the “Mandate of Heaven” due to his
immoral conduct, and it was granted to the Zhou instead
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Western Zhou 西周 (1122-770 B.C.E.)
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
For reasons involving concubines (of course), the king is killed and the Zhou capital sacked The Zhou capital is moved East (hence the name)
The traditional Zhou rulers begin to lose their real power The Zhou begins to decline
The Eastern Zhou dynasty is traditionally split into two periods
Qin 秦 ( 221-206 B.C.E.)
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 B.C.E.)
The Zhou dynasty's decline The time of Confucius (551-479) – we'll come back to him later. Try to contain your excitement.
Warring States Period ( 403-221 B.C.E.)
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 B.C.E.)
The Zhou dynasty's decline The time of Confucius (551-479) – we'll come back to him later. Try to contain your excitement.
Warring States Period ( 403-221 B.C.E.)
The Zhou kings officially recognise the partitioning of the state of Jin This inspires the rulers of formal vassal states to start usurping power for themselves
Essentially, everything goes to Hell and countless people die horribly
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 B.C.E.)
The Zhou dynasty's decline The time of Confucius (551-479) – we'll come back to him later. Try to contain your excitement.
Warring States Period ( 403-221 B.C.E.)
The Zhou kings officially recognise the partitioning of the state of Jin This inspires the rulers of formal vassal states to start usurping power for themselves
Essentially, everything goes to Hell and countless people die horribly But on the bright side: awesome philosophy!
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 B.C.E.)
The Zhou dynasty's decline The time of Confucius (551-479) – we'll come back to him later. Try to contain your excitement.
Warring States Period ( 403-221 B.C.E.)
The Zhou kings officially recognise the partitioning of the state of Jin This inspires the rulers of formal vassal states to start usurping power for themselves
Essentially, everything goes to Hell and countless people die horribly But on the bright side: awesome philosophy!
So, it was definitely worth it
A Ridiculously Brief History
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
During the Warring States period, the number of states grew smaller and smaller Eventually, the state of Qin was victorious and united China
Thus, he is often called the “First Emperor”
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
During the Warring States period, the number of states grew smaller and smaller Eventually, the state of Qin was victorious and united China
Thus, he is often called the “First Emperor” His tomb is guarded by the famous “Terracotta Army”
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
During the Warring States period, the number of states grew smaller and smaller Eventually, the state of Qin was victorious and united China
Thus, he is often called the “First Emperor” His tomb is guarded by the famous “Terracotta Army”
He was awesome
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Eastern Zhou 東周 (770-221 B.C.E.)
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
During the Warring States period, the number of states grew smaller and smaller Eventually, the state of Qin was victorious and united China
Thus, he is often called the “First Emperor” His tomb is guarded by the famous “Terracotta Army”
He was awesome Oh, except he outlawed all rival philosophies, burned their books, slaughtered and buried
philosophers alive
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A Ridiculously Brief History
Qin 秦 (221-206 B.C.E.)
Former Han 漢 (206 B.C.E. -9)
A form of Confucianism is made the orthodox philosophy/religion of China This is combined with a form of Legalism
This would essentially form the basis of the Chinese government for the next 2000 years
Who am I skipping?
Laozi (Lao-tzu) 老子 and the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)
Mozi (Mo-tzu) 墨子 The School of Logicians
Mencius 孟子 Xunzi (Hsun-tzu) 荀子 And more
Confucianism 儒家
This is Confucius EXACTLY as he looked in real life
ConfuciusName: Kongzi or Kongfuzi 孔子
551-479 B.C.E.
“Confucius said of the Ji Family, “They have eight rows of dancers performing in their courtyard. If they can condone this, what are they not capable of?”
Analects III:1 (transl. E Slingerland)
Take THAT, Ji Family!
Confucius in the West
In the 17th and 18th centuries, China was likely the most economically successful nation on Earth
It was also in many ways the most politically sophisticated
Confucius in the West
In the 17th and 18th centuries, China was likely the most economically successful nation on Earth
It was also in many ways the most politically sophisticated
Viewed by many Europeans as an enlightened nation ruled by philosopher kings
Confucius was used by Voltaire and other Enlightenment thinkers as an example of rational morality
Confucius in the West
In the 17th and 18th centuries, China was likely the most economically successful nation on Earth
It was also in many ways the most politically sophisticated
Viewed by many Europeans as an enlightened nation ruled by philosopher kings
Confucius was used by Voltaire and other Enlightenment thinkers as an example of rational morality
Later on, Hegel and Weber would criticise Confucianism
There was one thing the Enlightenment thinkers had in common with Hegel and Weber
Confucius in the West
In the 17th and 18th centuries, China was likely the most economically successful nation on Earth
It was also in many ways the most politically sophisticated
Viewed by many Europeans as an enlightened nation ruled by philosopher kings
Confucius was used by Voltaire and other Enlightenment thinkers as an example of rational morality
Later on, Hegel and Weber would criticise Confucianism
There was one thing the Enlightenment thinkers had in common with Hegel and Weber
None of them really knew much of anything about Confucianism
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently The book written by his students, “The Analects of Confucius” (Lun
Yu 論語 ) is unclear without commentary (remember the eight rows of dancers?)
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently The book written by his students, “The Analects of Confucius” (Lun
Yu 論語 ) is unclear without commentary (remember the eight rows of dancers?)
The modern, “Western” secular, liberal view of morality is focused on the individual
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently The book written by his students, “The Analects of Confucius” (Lun
Yu 論語 ) is unclear without commentary (remember the eight rows of dancers?)
The modern, “Western” secular, liberal view of morality is focused on the individual
Confucianism believes that people are inescapably part of a social network of relations with the family at its core
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently The book written by his students, “The Analects of Confucius” (Lun
Yu 論語 ) is unclear without commentary (remember the eight rows of dancers?)
The modern, “Western” secular, liberal view of morality is focused on the individual
Confucianism believes that people are inescapably part of a social network of relations with the family at its core
People develop their morality by learning how to care for their family, and then extending that feeling to others
Why is Confucius difficult to understand today?
Context of Chinese history and culture of his time
Unaware of how highly ritualised human behaviour is
Or how much clearer and stricter it was until very recently The book written by his students, “The Analects of Confucius” (Lun
Yu 論語 ) is unclear without commentary (remember the eight rows of dancers?)
The modern, “Western” secular, liberal view of morality is focused on the individual
Confucianism believes that people are inescapably part of a social network of relations with the family at its core
People develop their morality by learning how to care for their family, and then extending that feeling to others
I would argue this is a more accurate view of human nature
The Philosophy of Confucius Confucius never wrote a book
He didn't seem interested in establishing a unique philosophical system
He appears to have been at least sceptical about the supernatural
Seems to imply spirits do not exist
Has a clear focus on the here and now
Xunzi (Hsün-tzu) 荀子300-230 B.C.E.
“You pray for rain and it rains. Why? For no particular reason, I say. It is just as though you had not prayed for rain and it rained anyway.”
Xunzi – A Discussion of Heaven (transl. B Watson)
The Philosophy of Confucius Confucius never wrote a book
He didn't seem interested in establishing a unique philosophical system
He appears to have been at least sceptical about the supernatural
So what did he believe?
The Philosophy of Confucius Confucius never wrote a book
He didn't seem interested in establishing a unique philosophical system
He appears to have been at least sceptical about the supernatural
So what did he believe?
Virtue Ethics: self-cultivation
A return to the heyday of the Zhou
The Virtue Ethics of Confucius
Emphasis on character rather than consequence
A strict and conservative view of ritual propriety
A person cultivates his character by means of the rites
But the rites must be performed with genuine emotions behind them
Confucius probably believed that the rites of the Zhou had some kind of cosmological significance: they were revealed by Heaven (Tian 天 )
The Virtue Ethics of Confucius
Emphasis on character rather than consequence
A strict and conservative view of ritual propriety
A person cultivates his character by means of the rites
But the rites must be performed with genuine emotions behind them
Confucius probably believed that the rites of the Zhou had some kind of cosmological significance: they were revealed by Heaven (Tian 天 )
Self-cultivation is a life-long journey
The Virtue Ethics of Confucius
Emphasis on character rather than consequence
A strict and conservative view of ritual propriety
A person cultivates his character by means of the rites
But the rites must be performed with genuine emotions behind them
Confucius probably believed that the rites of the Zhou had some kind of cosmological significance: they were revealed by Heaven (Tian 天 )
Self-cultivation is a life-long journey
He taught his disciples primarily through example
He had 72 disciples, according to tradition
He taught each one differently based on their individual flaws and strengths
His greatest student was Yan Hui 顔 回 who died at a young age
Return to the Zhou
Confucius lived during the Spring and Summer period, as the Zhou was declining, but before the Warring States period began
Return to the Zhou
Confucius lived during the Spring and Summer period, as the Zhou was declining, but before the Warring States period began
He believed society would be better ordered and better run if Zhou culture returned and a true king ruled over the world
For him, a true king would care about the common people, would employ worthy ministers (preferably Confucius or his disciples) and would follow the rites of Zhou
Return to the Zhou
Confucius lived during the Spring and Summer period, as the Zhou was declining, but before the Warring States period began
He believed society would be better ordered and better run if Zhou culture returned and a true king ruled over the world
For him, a true king would care about the common people, would employ worthy ministers (preferably Confucius or his disciples) and would follow the rites of Zhou
For him, following the rites of Zhou not only helped individuals cultivate themselves, but also provided a framework where people in the government would know how to act and not rise above their station unless they were morally worthy
Return to the Zhou
Confucius lived during the Spring and Summer period, as the Zhou was declining, but before the Warring States period began
He believed society would be better ordered and better run if Zhou culture returned and a true king ruled over the world
For him, a true king would care about the common people, would employ worthy ministers (preferably Confucius or his disciples) and would follow the rites of Zhou
For him, following the rites of Zhou not only helped individuals cultivate themselves, but also provided a framework where people in the government would know how to act and not rise above their station unless they were morally worthy
This takes us back to the strange quote at the beginning....
What was he prattling on about?
Different ranks in society were allowed different numbers of dancers to perform outside the ancestral hall during ceremonies.
Only the Son of Heaven was allowed eight rows. Thus the Ji Family was effectively taking on the ritual observances of the Zhou King – in effect claiming the title for themselves
Perhaps Confucius was right to be angry: once the vassals finally usurped the traditional positions of the Zhou dukes, it led to 200 years of war and the deaths of countless people
Confucius said of the Ji Family, “They have eight rows of
dancers performing in their courtyard. If they can
condone this, what are they not capable of?”
The Most Awesomest Philosopher
Zhuangzi dreaming he is a butterfly
Zhuangzi (Chuang-tzu)莊子
4th Century B.C.E.
“There is a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is being. There is nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be not yet beginning to be nonbeing. Suddenly there is being and nonbeing. But between this being and nonbeing, I don't really know which is being and which is nonbeing. Now I have just said something. But I don't know whether what I have said has really said something or whether it hasn't said something.”
Zhuangzi – Discussion on Making Things Equal (transl. B Watson)
Chinese philosophy on acid
What made Zhuangzi unique?
Uses hilarious humour, brilliant word-play, satire, is apolitical, has stories about talking trees, talking animals, fish that turn into gigantic birds and on and on....
Uses language and philosophy to deconstruct language and philosophy
Pointedly takes the side of the lowest stratum of human society: things and people deemed freakish, lowly or useless
Zhuangzi's philosophy
What did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
Zhuangzi's philosophy
What did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
People should all just chill out and stop exhausting themselves trying to pin down moral absolutes
Zhuangzi's philosophyWhat did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
People should all just chill out and stop exhausting themselves trying to pin down moral absolutes
As far as we know, even death may not be so bad. In any case, there's no point worrying about it
Zhuangzi's philosophyWhat did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
People should all just chill out and stop exhausting themselves trying to pin down moral absolutes
As far as we know, even death may not be so bad. In any case, there's no point worrying about it
He argues for a “Great Understanding” which understands the world as a complete whole which contains within it changes and contradictions
Zhuangzi's philosophyWhat did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
People should all just chill out and stop exhausting themselves trying to pin down moral absolutes
As far as we know, even death may not be so bad. In any case, there's no point worrying about it
He argues for a “Great Understanding” which understands the world as a complete whole which contains within it changes and contradictions
His book seems to be “therapeutic” as well as generally philosophical
Zhuangzi's philosophyWhat did Zhuangzi believe? Umm... good question
The world is a complicated place, and things in it are always changing. We're always changing, too.
People should all just chill out and stop exhausting themselves trying to pin down moral absolutes
As far as we know, even death may not be so bad. In any case, there's no point worrying about it
He argues for a “Great Understanding” which understands the world as a complete whole which contains within it changes and contradictions
His book seems to be “therapeutic” as well as generally philosophical
It's probably worth noting that Zhuangzi was the primary influence for the Chan school of Buddhism – what we know today as “Zen”
Zhuangzi the Critic
He believed that Confucians and Moists – bitter philosophical opponents both suffered from the same problem: they were obsessed with fixed, moral absolutes
He took particular relish is making fun of the logicians who tried to use language and logic to define and understand the world
“What one calls right the other calls wrong; what one calls wrong the other calls right. But if we want to right their wrongs and wrong their rights, then the best thing to use is clarity.”
Zhuangzi – Discussion on Making Things Equal (transl. B Watson)
Zhuangzi the Critic
He believed that Confucians and Moists – bitter philosophical opponents both suffered from the same problem: they were obsessed with fixed, moral absolutes
He took particular relish is making fun of the logicians who tried to use language and logic to define and understand the world
This takes us back to the quote at the beginning....
“What one calls right the other calls wrong; what one calls wrong the other calls right. But if we want to right their wrongs and wrong their rights, then the best thing to use is clarity.”
Zhuangzi – Discussion on Making Things Equal (transl. B Watson)
So, if you thought this quote didn't make any sense earlier... that's because to a large degree it's probably meant as a satire of the logicians
But, with Zhuangzi you can never be sure that he didn't have his own point as well.... Did what he said really say something, or did it not say something?
“There is a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is being. There is nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be not yet beginning to be nonbeing. Suddenly there is being and nonbeing. But between this being and nonbeing, I don't really know which is being and which is nonbeing. Now I have just said something. But I don't know whether what I have said has really said something or whether it hasn't said something.”
Zhuangzi – Discussion on Making Things Equal (transl. B Watson)
Zhuangzi the Critic
The Butterfly Story
“Once Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang Zhou and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.”
Zhuangzi – Discussion on Making Things Equal (trans. B Watson)
This is an extremely famous story. But what does it mean?
The Butterfly Story
There's no consensus really on any of Zhuangzi's stories
This is an extremely famous story. But what does it mean?
The Butterfly Story
There's no consensus really on any of Zhuangzi's stories
But Zhuangzi did believe that living in the world means that we are all part of a constant process of change – the Great Transformation
This is an extremely famous story. But what does it mean?
The Butterfly Story
There's no consensus really on any of Zhuangzi's stories
But Zhuangzi did believe that living in the world means that we are all part of a constant process of change – the Great Transformation
All we can do is accept and understand who who are are where we exist and deal with that This is an extremely
famous story. But what does it mean?
The Butterfly Story
There's no consensus really on any of Zhuangzi's stories
But Zhuangzi did believe that living in the world means that we are all part of a constant process of change – the Great Transformation
All we can do is accept and understand who who are are where we exist and deal with that
Cook Ding story
This is an extremely famous story. But what does it mean?
Legalism 法家
Hanfeizi, looking badass!
Han Feizi韓非子
280-233 B.C.E.
“Once in the past, Marquis Zhao of Han got drunk and fell asleep. The keeper of his royal hat, seeing that the marquis was cold, laid a robe over him. When the marquis awoke, he was pleased and asked his attendants, 'Who covered me with a robe?' 'The keeper of the hat,' they replied. The marquis thereupon punished both the keeper of the royal hat and the keeper of the royal robe.”
Hanfeizi – The Two Handles(transl. B Watson)
Who was Han Feizi?
Of the major philosophers, the only member of the ruling aristocracy
He was a student of the Confucian scholar, Xunzi
His classmate was Li Si, who was later Prime Minister of the state of Qin
He lived at the very end of the Warring States period – but died shortly before the state of Qin conquered all of China
According to traditional accounts, he had a strong speech impediment and this is why he wrote his philosophy down in a book – rather than trying to get his ideas across in person
Han Feizi's Philosophy
What did he believe? Han Feizi's book is entirely about statecraft
For this reason he has been called the “Machiavelli of Ancient China”
He urged rulers to rule from behind the scenes
This was done by having set and clear rules and standards for people to follow
Then, these rules and standards are enforced through the “two handles” of rulership: harsh punishment and generous reward
The king should never allow anyone else to have access to these “two handles”
This way, the king maintains power, but the government runs smoothly and nobody acts beyond their station
The Five Punishments
Tattoo on the face
Cut off a foot
Cut off the nose
Castration
Death (not infrequently of both yourself and your entire family)
According to Han Feizi's system, then, the reason these two were punished is because the keeper of the hat acted beyond his station. And the keeper of the robe failed in his duties.
“Once in the past, Marquis Zhao of Han got drunk and fell asleep. The keeper of his royal hat, seeing that the marquis was cold, laid a robe over him. When the marquis awoke, he was pleased and asked his attendants, 'Who covered me with a robe?' 'The keeper of the hat,' they replied. The marquis thereupon punished both the keeper of the royal hat and the keeper of the royal robe.”
Hanfeizi – The Two Handles(transl. B Watson)
Han Feizi's Philosophy
Han Feizi's Philosophy
Han Feizi was also unique in that he did not believe in adhering to the way of the Ancients: the Xia, Shang and Zhou culture and its legacy
Han Feizi's Philosophy
Han Feizi was also unique in that he did not believe in adhering to the way of the Ancients: the Xia, Shang and Zhou culture and its legacy
Almost every other philosophy in this period believed that China had a golden age in the past and should try to imitate the ancients to achieve that golden age again
But Han Feizi thought it was stupid to mindlessly ape the past. Even if the way of the Ancients worked in the past, that doesn't guarantee it would work now.
Han Feizi's Philosophy
Han Feizi was also unique in that he did not believe in adhering to the way of the Ancients: the Xia, Shang and Zhou culture and its legacy
Almost every other philosophy in this period believed that China had a golden age in the past and should try to imitate the ancients to achieve that golden age again
But Han Feizi thought it was stupid to mindlessly ape the past. Even if the way of the Ancients worked in the past, that doesn't guarantee it would work now.
E.g. The man from Song story, and the Letter from Ying story
Han Feizi's Philosophy
Han Feizi was also unique in that he did not believe in adhering to the way of the Ancients: the Xia, Shang and Zhou culture and its legacy
Han Feizi's cynical attitude probably suited the times – much had changed since Confucius was alive
China was in a state of constant warfare
Kings were in constant danger of having their power usurped by ambitious people
Cities and populations had grown
So Han Feizi believed a dispassionate system of legal standards would make the world a better place
Han Feizi's Death and Legacy
The ruler of the state of Qin was extremely interested in Legalism, and implementation of this philosophy seemed to have made his state flourish
He invited Han Feizi to Qin to present his ideas
Han Feizi's Death and Legacy
The ruler of the state of Qin was extremely interested in Legalism, and implementation of this philosophy seemed to have made his state flourish
He invited Han Feizi to Qin to present his ideas
However, his former classmate, Li Si, told the ruler that because Han Feizi was part of the aristocracy of the state of Han, he could not be trusted
The Qin ruler imprisoned him, and Li Si fooled him into committing suicide
Han Feizi's Death and Legacy
The ruler of the state of Qin was extremely interested in Legalism, and implementation of this philosophy seemed to have made his state flourish
He invited Han Feizi to Qin to present his ideas
However, his former classmate, Li Si, told the ruler that because Han Feizi was part of the aristocracy of the state of Han, he could not be trusted
The Qin ruler imprisoned him, and Li Si fooled him into committing suicide
The Qin ruler later regretting Han Feizi's death. Eventually he would unify China and implement the Legalist system – standardising the governmental system, the written language and many other things
In the end, the Chinese government would adhere to a combination of Legalism and Confucianism and would develop an extremely sophisticated centralized bureaucracy
Oh, the irony
So in other words...
Han Feizi, the student of a famous Confucian scholar, would develop a philosophy that urged merciless punishments by rulers to maintain their own power
Oh, the irony
So in other words...
Han Feizi, the student of a famous Confucian scholar, would develop a philosophy that urged merciless punishments by rulers to maintain their own power
He later died as a result of being imprisoned by a ruler who was worried about maintaining his own power
Oh, the irony
So in other words...
Han Feizi, the student of a famous Confucian scholar, would develop a philosophy that urged merciless punishments by rulers to maintain their own power
He later died as a result of being imprisoned by a ruler who was worried about maintaining his own power
That ruler then implemented Han Feizi's philosophy and then proceeded to persecute and kill the Confucians and ban their teachings.