Ep 10. Great Ideas of the Zhou - Legalism

Foundations of Eastern Civilization season 1 episode 10, titled "Great Ideas of the Zhou - Legalism," explores the ancient Chinese philosophy of Legalism, which was prevalent during the Zhou dynasty. This episode examines how the Legalist school of thought played a significant role in shaping Chinese history and governance.

The episode begins by discussing the Zhou dynasty, which ruled China from 1046 BCE to 256 BCE. During this period, the Zhou developed a feudal system of government, which included a centralized administration that controlled the various territories. However, as the Zhou dynasty began to decline, the feudal lords became more powerful and challenging to control, which led to a period of chaos and instability.

Into this void stepped the Legalists, who believed that the only way to restore order and unity was through strict laws and harsh punishments. They rejected Confucianism, which taught that people should be ruled by moral example rather than force. The Legalists believed that people were naturally selfish and needed strong incentives to follow the law.

The episode then introduces several prominent Legalist thinkers, including Han Feizi, Li Si, and Shang Yang. Han Feizi, in particular, was one of the most influential Legalist thinkers of his time, and his ideas continue to influence Chinese politics and law to this day.

The episode explores several key tenets of Legalism, including the concept of "Shi" or "power." The Legalists believed that power was the supreme value in politics and that rulers should use every means possible to maintain their power and authority. This included using harsh punishments to ensure that people obeyed the law and enforcing strict social hierarchies to maintain order.

The episode also discusses the Legalists' view of human nature. They believed that people were inherently selfish and that they needed to be controlled through strict laws and regulations. They rejected the Confucian view that people were naturally good and that they could be led by moral example.

The episode highlights several examples of Legalist policies in action. One of the most famous was the policy of "rewarding merit and punishing mistakes." Under this system, officials who performed well were rewarded, while those who made mistakes were punished harshly. This helped to create a merit-based bureaucracy that was focused on results rather than nepotism or favoritism.

Another example of Legalist policy was the "Three Harms" principle. This principle stated that anyone who harmed the state, the ruler, or the people would be punished severely. This helped to create a strong sense of social order and deterred people from engaging in criminal or anti-social behavior.

The episode concludes by discussing the legacy of Legalism. While Legalist policies were often harsh and severe, they were also effective in creating a stable and prosperous society. Legalism laid the foundation for the powerful bureaucracies that have characterized Chinese politics for centuries. It also helped to shape Chinese law and ethics, as well as the relationship between the individual and the state.

Overall, "Great Ideas of the Zhou - Legalism" is a thought-provoking episode that sheds light on one of the most important philosophical movements in Chinese history. It provides a fascinating insight into the minds of ancient Chinese thinkers and their ideas about politics, human nature, and society.