When you think of legalists, you may think of stern and cold officials, holding decrees and solemnly reading them out.
Both Confucianism and Legalism occupy an important position in the history of China. So what are the connections and differences between the two schools? Let legalist culture tell you.
Confucianism, also known as Confucianism or Confucianism, was founded by Confucius. In the historical evolution, it has gradually developed into an ideological system with "benevolence" as the core and promoting traditional virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and trust. It is the most influential school in China and the mainstream consciousness in ancient China. Confucianism has been circulating for thousands of years, which has had a far-reaching impact on China, East Asia and even the whole world.
Legalists, on the other hand, are an important school with the core idea of "ruling the country according to law", devoted themselves to studying the way of state governance, and put forward the idea of enriching Qiang Bing and ruling the country according to law. Legalists regarded law as a compulsory tool for social rule and attached importance to the construction of legal system, which provided a theoretical basis for centralized feudal rule for thousands of years. So what are the differences and connections between Confucianism and Legalism?
First, the theoretical basis is different.
Confucianism adheres to the traditional way of governing the country, advocates the core views of "benevolence" and "courtesy", and believes that people should govern the country with courtesy and morality, and should not be punished by law. Legalists believe that the rule of law should be the rule of law, and human nature is good and evil. From the perspective of historical evolution, it is important to promote the rule of law.
The theoretical basis of Confucianism is the theory of good nature, which is also the basis for the possible implementation of "benevolent government". The theoretical basis of Legalist thought is the theory of evil nature, which holds that human nature is evil and human viciousness cannot be changed. Advocate the combination of law, skill and situation to manage the country by employing people.
Second, different views on social order.
Confucianism fundamentally denies social uniformity. It is believed that people have wisdom, stupidity, virtue and filial piety, and society should be divided into noble and noble. Working farmers, workers, businessmen and industrious literati each perform their duties, forming the opposition of superiority and inferiority; It is also believed that kinship should be divided according to seniority, age, parental level, gender and other conditions.
Although legalists do not deny the differences and existence of dignity, respect and inferiority, respect and intimacy, they believe that legal rewards and punishments are objective and absolute standards and do not vary from person to person. Everyone is equal before the law, and there can be no differences or individual treatment.