Which of these phrases best summarizes Legalism?



A.
Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society.

B.
Moral values are the key to social order.

C.
Citizens are capable of governing themselves.

D.
Educating people leads to a strong society.

https://www.ancient.eu/Legalism/

People are inherently bad and need firm legal control.

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To determine which of these phrases best summarizes Legalism, we need to have an understanding of what Legalism is. Legalism is a classical Chinese philosophy that emerged during the Warring States period in ancient China. It emphasizes the role of the state, laws, and strict punishments as means to maintain order and obedience in society. Now, let's evaluate the given options:

A. Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society.
This phrase aligns with the main principle of Legalism, which emphasizes the use of strict laws to ensure social order. Therefore, it could be a suitable summary of Legalism.

B. Moral values are the key to social order.
While moral values play a role in various philosophies, Legalism does not heavily emphasize moral values as the key to social order. Instead, Legalism puts more importance on strict laws and punishments.

C. Citizens are capable of governing themselves.
Legalism does not promote the idea of citizens autonomously governing themselves. It emphasizes the authority of the state and the need for strong central governance.

D. Educating people leads to a strong society.
Though education is important in many philosophies, Legalism does not specifically emphasize its role in building a strong society. It emphasizes the role of strict laws and punishments instead.

Based on these evaluations, option A, "Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society," best summarizes Legalism.