Legalist School

The Legalist School was an influential Chinese philosophy during the Warring States period that emphasized strict laws and rigid enforcement to maintain social order. Its thinkers believed human nature is inherently self-interested and prone to chaos if left unchecked, so clear rules and severe consequences were necessary to motivate good behavior. Legalists prioritized centralized authority and swift punishments over moral virtue or tradition, aiming to create a stable, powerful state. Their ideas significantly shaped China's legal and political systems, especially under the Qin Dynasty, which unified China in the 3rd century BCE.