Legalism was the central governing idea of the Qin Dynasty.
Legalist believed that people were evil by nature and that people behave properly only if forced by strict laws and harsh punishments. People’s personal freedom should be sacrifices for the good of the state.
Xunzi was one of the people who led to the development of Legalism. He believed that people had to be forced to make the right decision. He did not believe in the essential goodness of all human being and he did not believe that they could make the right decisions.
In the mid 4th century B.C. Shang was put in charge of the Qin Dynasty. He was one of the first rulers to practice Legalism. He believed that the Confucians were mistaken by caring about the societies opinion. In his view the ruler should trust his own judgment.
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Legalist believed that people were evil by nature and that people behave properly only if forced by strict laws and harsh punishments. People’s personal freedom should be sacrifices for the good of the state.
Xunzi was one of the people who led to the development of Legalism. He believed that people had to be forced to make the right decision. He did not believe in the essential goodness of all human being and he did not believe that they could make the right decisions.
In the mid 4th century B.C. Shang was put in charge of the Qin Dynasty. He was one of the first rulers to practice Legalism. He believed that the Confucians were mistaken by caring about the societies opinion. In his view the ruler should trust his own judgment.
source