In the long history of China, there are two names that have always been thunderous, they are two great statesmen and thinkers of the Warring States period - Han Feizi and Li Si. They were all the main representatives of the Legalist school, and their theories had a profound impact on ancient Chinese politics, law, and society.
First of all, let's understand what Legalism is. Legalism is an important school of scholarship in ancient China, which advocates the rule of law, emphasizes the importance of law, and believes that the monarch should have supreme authority. This view caused great repercussions in Chinese society at the time, as it challenged traditional Confucian notions and advocated a new way of governance.
So why did Han Feizi and Li Si become important representatives of the Legalist school? This is mainly because they have a deep understanding of the legal system and unique views. For example, Han Feizi put forward the concept of "clear law and judicial order", that is, to ensure the stability and development of the country by formulating clear legal provisions and strict enforcement measures. He believes that only through strong legal means can the abuse of power and social chaos be effectively prevented.
Lees, on the other hand, placed more emphasis on the authority of the monarch. He advocated that "the affairs of the world lie in the lord of the people", that is, a strong monarch is the key to maintaining social stability. This thought of his deeply influenced the rulers of the Qin Dynasty, enabling the Qin State to achieve the great cause of unifying the Six Kingdoms in a short period of time.
However, although the ideas of Han Feizi and Li Si were very advanced for the society of the time, they also had their limitations. For example, they rely too much on the power of law and ignore the role of morality. In addition, they overemphasize the supremacy of the monarchy, which can lead to autocracy and corruption.
Han Feizi and Li Si are the main representatives of the Legalist school, and their theories have had a profound impact on ancient Chinese politics, law and society. Although their ideas have their limitations, they have been a rare great thinker and statesman throughout history.