The Philosophy of Warring States China
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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)
Terricotta Army
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

On to the philosophers....
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
Confucius
Name: 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!
This is Confucius EXACTLY as he looked in real life
Confucius in the West
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
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
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 (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)
Zhuangzi dreaming he is a butterfly
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?
Zhuangzi's philosophy
What did Zhuangzi believe?

Umm... good question
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 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
As far as we know, even death may not be so bad. In any case, there's no
point worrying about it
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
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 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
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 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
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)
Zhuangzi the Critic
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)
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
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)
Hanfeizi, looking badass!
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
The Five Punishments
 Tattoo on the face
The Five Punishments
 Tattoo on the face
 Cut off a foot
The Five Punishments
 Tattoo on the face
 Cut off a foot
 Cut off the nose
The Five Punishments
 Tattoo on the face
 Cut off a foot
 Cut off the nose
 Castration
The Five Punishments
 Tattoo on the face
 Cut off a foot
 Cut off the nose
 Castration
 Death
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)
Han Feizi's Philosophy
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 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...
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.
The End
終