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The Political Philosophy of the Qin Empire: The Subtle Interweaving of Legalism and Confucianism
The picture scroll of history is magnificent, and the rise of the Qin Empire is like a meteor in the night sky, dazzling but fleeting, people often associate the iron-fisted rule of Qin Shi Huang with Legalist thought, thinking that it is the severe punishment of the law that paved the road to the hegemony of the empire, the truth of history is often multifaceted and complex, under the strong dominance of Legalist thought, is Confucianism really disappeared in the Qin Empire? A closer look at this history reveals that the political philosophy of the Qin Empire was not a single hue, but a complex picture of Legalism and Confucianism
Shang Ying's Reform: The Triumph of Legalist Thought?
During the Warring States Period, the seven heroes stood side by side, the smoke of gunpowder was everywhere, the Qin State was located in a remote area, and was repeatedly bullied, but it also gave birth to the determination to change the strength, Qin Xiaogong was ambitious, thirsty for talent, Shang Ying was on the historical stage in this context, Shang Ying was guided by Legalist thought, drastically implemented the law change, abolished the well field system, rewarded the cultivation war, and established a new social system, Shang Ying's reform is undoubtedly the key to the rise of the Qin State, and also made the status of Legalist thought in the Qin State rise day by day, It may be biased to interpret the Shang Dynasty reform simply as a victory for Legalist thought
For example, Shang Yang also emphasized moral education in the implementation of the rule of law, advocating the rule of law to guide the people to goodness, Shang Yang also paid attention to talent training, attached importance to education, these measures are closely related to Confucianism, therefore, Shang Yang reform is not just a single presentation of Legalist thought, but a comprehensive reform program that integrates a variety of ideological elements
The concept of governance after the great unification: seeking a balance between Confucianism and law
In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang swept Liuhe and established the first centralized feudal empire in Chinese history, in order to consolidate his rule, Qin Shi Huang took a series of measures, including the establishment of the emperor system, the implementation of the county system, the unification of weights and measures, etc., these measures undoubtedly bear a distinct Legalist ideological imprint, embodying the concept of centralized power and absolute monarchy, in the grand narrative of the empire, Confucianism is not insignificant
For example, although the Qin law is full of strict punishment and strict laws, it also contains a lot of content that is in line with Confucian ethics, such as "filial piety and loyalty" and other concepts are reflected in the Qin law, Qin Shi Huang also attaches importance to Confucian traditions such as sacrifices and rituals, and tries to use Confucianism to regulate social order and maintain the stability of imperial rule
Book Burning and Confucianism: A Comprehensive Rejection of Confucianism?
In 213 BC, Qin Shi Huang adopted Li Si's suggestion and ordered the burning of books except medicine and divination, and killed more than 400 Confucian scholars
An in-depth analysis of this incident reveals that the "book burning and pit Confucianism" is not a comprehensive repudiation of Confucianism, but has more complex political considerations
The main purpose of the "book burning" was to unify the mind, and to prohibit the private collection and dissemination of historical books and classics different from the official ones, so as to maintain the ideological security of the empire, and the target of the "Confucianism" was not all Confucian scholars, but those who advocated "using the past not the present" to oppose Qin Shi Huang
The warlock and Confucian scholar of the policy, therefore, the "burning of books and pit Confucianism" is not a total negation of Confucianism but Qin Shi Huang
The political means adopted to consolidate the rule were aimed at maintaining the unity and stability of the empire
The ideological legacy of the Qin Empire: Confucianism and law had a far-reaching impact
Although the Qin Empire was short-lived, it had a profound impact on later generations of Qin Shi Huang
After the Qin Empire, the Han Dynasty learned the lesson of the rapid demise of the Qin Dynasty and adopted a cultural policy of "deposing the hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone", establishing Confucianism as the orthodox thought
But at the same time, it also retains the rational core of Legalist thought, and forms a ruling model of "external Confucianism and internal law".
This model of ideological convergence has had a profound impact on traditional Chinese society
Throughout history, the political philosophy of the Qin Empire was not simply legalism
Rather, in different historical stages, according to the needs of reality, Legalism and Confucianism were selectively absorbed and fused, forming a unique mode of governance
This mode of convergence of ideas
Both embodied the ruler
Practical considerations for maintaining one's own rule
It also reflects the essence of the idea of "harmony and diversity" in traditional Chinese culture
Understand this
For us today
Objectively evaluate the historical status of the Qin Empire
and a correct understanding of the characteristics of traditional Chinese culture
are of great significance
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