Legalism in ancient China was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest and require strict laws to control their impulses. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (l. c. 280 - 233 BCE) of the state of Qin.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 481 BCE - 221 BCEWarring States Period in China, Legalism develops in response to the horrors of war.
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c. 338 BCEDeath of Shang Yang, early proponent of Legalist philosophy in China.
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c. 280 BCE - c. 233 BCELife of Han Feizi who developed Legalism in China.
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213 BCE - 206 BCEQin Dynasty elevates Legalism as state philosophy and bans all others.
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202 BCE - 220 CEHan Dynasty under which Legalism relaxes.
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141 BCE - 87 BCEHan Emperor Wu abandons Legalism in favor of Confucianism.
