Han Fei

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Han Fei ( Chinese  韓非  /  韩非 , Pinyin Han Fei ; * to 280 BC.. †; 233 BC.. Was) a philosopher from the state Han Chinese Warring States Period , considered one of the last of his writings Principal authors of the doctrine of legalism applies.

In his book, named after him Han Feizi , the basic tenets of legalism are presented in 55 sections. Han Fei is said to have been a student of Xunzi . He is said to have written his work after an unsuccessful attempt to become a political advisor. When his homeland was attacked and conquered by the Qin , he was dragged to Qin, where he died of poison in prison. The Chinese historians Li Si , also a student of Xunzi and next to Han Fei, the second great founder of legalism, are held responsible.

In addition to Xunzi, Han Fei was also influenced by the Daodejing , which he took as a political guide, and on which he wrote a commentary.

The law (fa 法), the method of political action (shu 术) and power (shi 势) are at the heart of his teaching. The core of the legalistic teachings is the assumption that laws must apply to everyone without exception, so it was the idea of ​​the rule of law. He advocated a negative anthropology, in which people were viewed as inherently bad, and advocated strict government controls and severe punishments. According to him, the laws had to be strict and intervene with infallible mechanical safety, like forces of nature. The political system takes over the killing of people when they get into the teeth of the automatically functioning punishment machine.

Han Fei illustrated his teaching through anecdotes and short stories.

literature

The art of governance: the writings of the master Han Fei , translated from Old Chinese by Wilmar Mögling, Leipzig: Kiepenheuer, 1994

Web links

Wikisource: Han Feizi  - Sources and full texts (Chinese)

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Richard Wilhelm: in: Laotse Tao te king, Chinese philosophy, first edition 1999, ISBN 3-404-70141-0 , page: 189.
personal data
SURNAME Han Fei
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Ancient Chinese philosopher; adhered to the doctrine of legalism
DATE OF BIRTH around 280 BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 233 BC Chr.