CHIN 50 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Han Feizi, Shang Yang, Former Zhao
Document Summary
The first chinese empire: the qin dynasty, 221-207 bce. Dynasty - inherited ruling from one generation to the next e. g. zhou dynasty. Empire - one nation state rules over or projects its sovereignty over other states e. g. the. Shang yang, prime minister of qin, and author of the book of lord shang, develops theory of legalism (executed by dismemberment) Legalism emphasizes agriculture and warfare as the most important occupations for the population. Legalism also advocates equal punishment, without regard for social rank or nobility. New administrative units for qin territory, which would all be ruled directly by the king"s magistrates. Strict taxation system based on a census. New laws that would prosecute everyone equally. Universal ranking system based on military achievements (merit) rather than heredity. Another legalist thinker and advisor to the qin state. Emphasized that human institutions should be adapted to current conditions (opposed to confucianism)
