Confucius and Legalism in Ancient China: A Clash of Philosophies

The video explores the philosophical differences between Confucius and the Legalists. Confucius believed in the inherent goodness of people and virtue, while the Legalists viewed humans as inherently selfish, advocating for strict government control. The Qin state, embracing Legalist philosophy, unified China under the rule of the First Emperor, Shui Huang Ti, who suppressed dissent by burning books and executing scholars. Despite this, Confucian teachings survived through oral tradition and were later reconstructed.

What was the fundamental belief of Confucius about human nature?

• People are inherently good.

• People are inherently selfish.

• People are inherently evil.

• People are neither good nor evil.

What did the legalists believe was necessary for society to function best?

• Democratic governance

• Anarchy and lack of rules

• Strong government control and absolute obedience

• Freedom and individual rights

During which period did the Qin state adopt legalist philosophy?

• The Renaissance

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Age of Warring States

• The Age of Enlightenment

What title did the first Qin ruler of a united China take?

• Emperor of the World

• King of Kings

• Great Leader

• Shui Huang Ti

What types of books were allowed by Shui Huang Ti and the legalists?

• Books on art and literature

• Books on agriculture, medicine, and pharmacy

• Books on religion and spirituality

• Books on philosophy and history

What happened to scholars during the book burning period?

• They were exiled to other countries.

• Many were put to death or buried alive.

• They were celebrated and honored.

• They were given high positions in government.

How did Confucius' teachings manage to survive despite the book burnings?

• They were hidden in secret libraries.

• They were written in code.

• They were handed down orally from master to student.

• They were preserved by foreign scholars.

What happened to the legalists after the death of the first emperor?

• They gained more power.

• They lost power and their laws were ended.

• They formed a new dynasty.

• They expanded their influence to other countries.

What was the impact of the legalists' book burning on Confucian texts?

• They were translated into other languages.

• They were reconstructed from memory and surviving manuscripts.

• They were preserved in their original form.

• They were completely lost forever.