Han Fei

Han Fei (280?-233? bc), also known as Han Fei-tzu (tzu is a Chinese suffix meaning “master”), early Chinese philosopher, considered the greatest exponent of the political theory of Legalism (see Chinese Philosophy: Legalism). Born into the aristocracy of the small kingdom of Han in central China, Han Fei grew up towards the end of the Period of the Warring States (403-221 bc), when all the states of Zhou-dynasty China (1045?-256 bc) were engaged in a struggle for political power. He studied under the Confucian philosopher Xunzi (see Confucianism), but turned away from established traditions to teach what he felt were more practical matters. He wrote down his views in essays that were later compiled in the book Han Feizi (Han Fei-tzu).

In his book, Han Fei diverged from the dominant philosophy of Confucianism by opposing traditional models of government and excessive book learning. He advocated a state, ruled by an enlightened ruler with absolute authority, in which law replaces morality. According to Han Fei, individual standards of morality (see Ethics) should be replaced by what the ruler wants (considered right) and what the ruler does not want (considered wrong).

Later, the leader of Han sent Han Fei to negotiate with the western state of Qin (Ch’in), where he was politely received by its ruler, the future First Emperor Shi Huangdi, who had read his book. However, Qin's chief minister Li Si, an occasional pupil of Han Fei, persuaded Shi Huangdi to have Han Fei executed by forcing him to drink poison. Following the principles of Han Fei's philosophy, Qin went on to dominate all other Chinese states and unify China, but the Qin dynasty's swift collapse in 209 bc effectively discredited the views of Legalism.