Legalism in China

Legalism spread through China and was the last philosophy of government to rule in the Hundred Schools period (Upshur, 109). Legalism provided new philosophies and a way of thinking to the powers that ruled in China. Legalists, including Shang Yang, and Han Fei, expanded upon the theories of legalism and expressed amongst the people that while the past could provide inspiration, but they make decisions that influence the society based on the present and future; which was a new way of thinking for previous philosophies, including Confucianism. Legalists looked to the present and future for inspiration, and not the past. Where prior Chinese principles placed importance on the value of history, legalism placed little value on the history of the Chinese to better human society.

Legalism: A Force of Change

Prior to the establishment of legalism in China, Confucianism and Taoism were the subscribed philosophies of the people. Confucian's were idealists and they sought the good in all people. Legalism reflects realism. They believed that all human nature was evil, that people were inherently evil, selfish, lazy, disobedient, and reluctant to engage in war. They wanted to minimize previous philosophies to improve the present and future, and their way of implementing their idealistic views, was to instill rules that would conform the people to become more realistic.

This practice however caused much distrust and suspicion amongst the people, because of the reward system that was placed to informants, as they would receive generous rewards. Laws were ultimately broken, and people that chose not to report an offense were subject to severe punishment. These acts only helped the rulers of the Ch'in if they were adept at utilizing this manipulation of people. This foundation within legalism however created divisions within society and was ultimately part of the downfall of the Ch'in Dynasty. The totalitarianism rule that legalism provided was short lived in the Ch'in dynasty.

Value of Legalism to Chinese History

Ultimately, the legalism philosophy turned into a nightmare for the Ch'in dynasty. The legalists sought to disdain classic and moral values such as filial piety, sincerity, and humanity, based on the fears that these values would discourage people from selfish pursuits, specifically in agriculture and warfare, (Upshur 110). They hoped to eliminate classes amongst the people established through the philosophies of Confucianism, and Taoism. Their hope was to eliminate any threat that would allow individuals their ability to think and question what provided discontent amongst the people. These philosophies inherent in realism only proved to separate a once unified China.

Conclusion

While the practice of legalism provided well for a short period of time amongst the Ch'in dynasty, ultimately the influence of realism among the people, with limited ability for applied critical thinking to society, and constant suspicion raised amongst its people, led to a downfall of society, and change for the Chinese. The cynicism of legalism left a great impact on China, however the idea of having an all powerful state ruled by such harsh laws with control of social, political, military, and educational goals and aspirations that existed within the Confucianism and Taoism philosophies, created an impasse amongst China and the Ch'in rule collapsed. Today, societies, cultures, and way of life are predicted in part by the history of prior philosophies. The inability for the legalists to place value on the history that preceded them was unrealistic.

References
Upshur, et all. (2002) World History Before 1600: The Development of Early

Civilization, Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning
Legalism, Chapter 5
http://www.east-asian-history.net/textbooks/PM-China/ch5_main.htm