Ep. 188 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 5)

Legalism takes front and center stage in this episode. After the conquest of the competing Warring States in 221 BCE by Qin Shihuang, a new ideology was embraced by the new Chinese state.

The Legalist philosophers Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Shen Dao, Han Fei, and Li Si are all introduced as well as their individual and collective contributions in laying the Legalist foundations for what was to follow in the Qin dynasty, and over the next two thousand years of imperial Chinese history.

Laszlo also shows what happened to Legalism right after the Qin Emperor met his untimely end, and how this led to Confucianism’s greatest triumph in the Han dynasty thanks to Dong Zhongshu and others.

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Terms in Episode

Pinyin/TermChineseEnglish/Meaning
Chūnqiū春秋The Spring and Autumn Annals
Chǔ楚国Located around Hubei, one of the Warring States
Duke Xiào of Qín秦孝公Lived 381-338 BCE. Employed Shang Yang to institute all kinds of reforms that bore fruit a century later
Dàojiā道家Daoism, the philosophy
Dǒng Zhòngshū董仲舒Great official from the Western Han 179-104 BCE.
Emperor Huán汉桓帝Eastern Han emperor who reigned 146 to 168 CE
Fēng Shǔi风水A system that harmonizes everyone with the surrounding environment
Guǎn Zhòng管仲720-645 BCE Great reformer and statesman of the Qi State. Advisor to the ruler Duke Huan. Confucius thought highly of him
Hàn Gāozǔ汉高祖The founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, formerly known as Liu Bang
Hàn Wǔdì汉武帝One of China's greatest emperors. Lived from 156 to 87 BCE
Hán Fēi韩非Also known as Han Feizi. He lived 280-233 BCE
Hán State韩国One of the seven Warring States of the Eastern Zhou
Hénán河南Ancient province in China
Jìxià Academy稷下学宫Established in the State of Qi. A lot of great philosophers got their start there
King Nǎn周赧王The Last Zhou Dynasty king, deposed in 256 BCE
Liù Yì六艺The Six Arts...Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy and Math
Liú Bāng刘邦One of Fortune's Favorites, the founder of the Han Dynasty
Liú Xīn刘歆46 BCE to 23 CE Curator of the Imperial Library
Lùnhéng论衡Balanced Discussions
Lǐ Jì礼记The Book of Rites
Lǐ Sī李斯Chancellor to the first emperor and a contributor to Legalist thought
Lǔ Bùwéi吕不韦Early supporter of Ying Zheng (a.k.a. Qin Shihuang)
Mèngzǐ孟子Confucian great (and his book). He lived 372-289 BCE
Nányuè南越Kingdom down in the southernmost region of China
Qìgōng气功An ancient Chinese health care system that integrates body postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.
齐国Zhou Era state located in Shandong
Qín秦朝The first dynasty of imperial China 221 to 206 BCE
Rú School儒家Confucianism
Shèn Dào慎到Philosopher who lived 350-275 BCE. Had a big impact on later Legalism
Shāng Yāng商鞅Left a huge mark on the development and triumph of Legalist thought. Lived 390 to 338 BCE
Shāngzǐ/ Shāng Jūn Shū商子/商君书The work written by Shang Yang
Shānxī山西Ancient province in China
Shēn Bùhài申不害Lived 400-337 BCE. Along with Shen Dao, he was a major influence on Han Fei
Shī Jīng诗经The Book of Odea
Shǐ Jì史记The Record of the Grand Historian
Sīmǎ Tán司马谈Father of Sima Qian. He began the Records of the Grand Historian and his son finished it up.
Tiān Mìng天命The Mandate of Heaven
Wáng Chōng王充Philosopher who lived 27-100 CE
Wèi魏国One of the northern Warring States
Wǔ Xíng五行The Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood
Xiányáng咸阳Near present day Xian, the capital of the Qin State and the Dynasty
Xúnzǐ荀子Master Xun, who lived 313-238 BCE
Yuè Nán越南Vietnam
Yáng Xióng杨雄Philosopher who lived from 53 BCE to 18 CE
Yìjīng易经The I Ching or Book of Changes
Yíng Zhèng嬴政Founder of the Qin Dynasty
Yīn and Yáng阴阳The two opposing forces that cause changes in everything and everyone
Zhuāngzǐ庄子The man and the book. He lived from 369-286 BCE
Zhào Kuāngyìn赵匡胤The founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, also known as Song Taizu

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Ep. 189 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 6)

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Ep. 187 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 4)