Han Fei

Han Fei (Chinese韩非/韩非, Pinyin Han Fei; * to 280 BC; † 233 BC) was a philosopher from the State of Han Chinese time of the Warring States Period, who with his writings as one of the founders the doctrine of legalism applies.

In his book, Han Feizi named after him, the fundamental doctrines of legalism are presented in 55 sections. Han Fei was said to be a disciple of Xunzi. His writing he is after an unsuccessful attempt to become a political advisor, have written. When his home state was attacked and conquered by the Qin, were deported him to Qin, where he died of poison in prison. Is blamed by the Chinese historians Li Si, also a student of Xunzi and Han Fei beside the second great founder of legalism.

Besides Xunzi Han Fei was also influenced by the Tao Te Ching, which he took as political guide, and to whom he wrote a comment.

The pivot of his teachings form the law (fa法), the method of political action ( shu术) and the power ( shi势). The crux of the legalistic teachings form the assumptions, laws would apply without exception for each, so it was the idea of ​​a rule of law. He represented a negative anthropology in which the people were as inherently bad seen, and advocated strict government control and severe penalties. The laws had to be strictly according to him, and to intervene with unfailing mechanical pervasive security, as forces of nature. The political system takes over the killing of people when they get into the teeth of the automatically -functioning criminal machine.

Han Fei illustrated his theory by means of anecdotes and short stories.