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.


I chose A, I think i'm correct but I just wanna make sure.

Yes, A.

Alright, thank you! :)

The correct option that best summarizes Legalism is A - "Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society." Legalism is a Chinese philosophy that emphasizes strict adherence to laws and regulations as a means of maintaining social order and stability. Legalists believed that harsh laws and strict punishments were necessary to control the behavior of individuals and ensure societal harmony.

To determine which phrase best summarizes Legalism, we can examine the key aspects of Legalism and compare them to the provided options.

Legalism was an ancient Chinese philosophy that emerged during the Warring States period. It emphasized strict adherence to laws and the use of rewards and punishments to maintain social order and stability.

Let's analyze the options:

A. Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society.
This option aligns with Legalism's emphasis on strict laws to ensure societal order. It is, therefore, a suitable summary of Legalism.

B. Moral values are the key to social order.
Legalism does not focus on moral values as a means of social order but rather on the enforcement of strict laws. Hence, this option is not an accurate summary of Legalism.

C. Citizens are capable of governing themselves.
Legalism believes that citizens should not govern themselves but rather be governed by a strong authoritarian ruler. Therefore, this option does not align with Legalism's principles.

D. Educating people leads to a strong society.
While Legalism recognizes the importance of education, it does not emphasize education as a direct path to a strong society. Its focus is primarily on strict laws and effective governance. So, this option is not the most accurate summary of Legalism.

Based on this analysis, option A, "Harsh laws are needed to keep order in society," is the best summary of Legalism.
Therefore, your choice is correct.