There were three important schools of philosophy, during the
Qin dynasty. These were: Legalism, Confucianism and Daoism. All three schools
tried to explain humans place within the universe, and how to be a better
person.
Legalism
Of all
the three schools, Legalism had the biggest impact on Shin Huangdi’s way to run
the government, and influenced the legal system-the Code of China. Legalist philosophers believed that the only way to achieve peace, was to have a strong
strict government. To achieve a strong government, families had to place their
rights below those of the governments. Laws were severe and punishments were
harsh so that people obeyed the laws, and as a result worked together.
Suffering would cease and everyone would benefit. Legalist philosophers
believed that the emperor had to follow the laws. It did not matter if he was
good or bad, so long as he followed the rules the empire would run effectively.
Confusianism
Confucius
was a Chinese scholar who was orphaned
as a child, and grew up in poverty. His humble beginnings didn’t stop him from
achieving great things, like becoming a scholar. Confucius was appointed to
police commissioner, however he quit and traveled to other states, where he
offered advice to other rulers. The philosophical question that Confucius was
most interested in how a person could live a better life and how to create
a good society ruled by a good
government. Confucius believed the best type of person, was someone who acted
virtuously towards others.
Daoism
The
first and most influential of the Daoist philosophers was Laozi. All of Laozi’s
teachings are contained in a small book of only 5250 words, called the
Daodejing. Instead of focusing on a group of people, Daoism focuses on the
individual person. Laozi believed that Daoism could not be explained in words,
but that it could be understood by observing the influence within the world. Once
a person understood the Dao, he or she would act in accordance with its
influence and find happiness.
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