During the Zhou dynasty in ancient China, leaders governed under the

Choose
principle.

Daoist
Confucian
Legalism
Mandate of heaven

Mandate of heaven

During the Zhou dynasty in ancient China, leaders governed under the principle of the Mandate of Heaven.

During the Zhou dynasty in ancient China, leaders governed under the principle known as the "Mandate of Heaven."

To understand the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, let's break it down:

1. The Mandate of Heaven was a political and religious doctrine that asserted the will of the gods in selecting and legitimizing the ruler of China.

2. According to this principle, the ruler needed to have the approval and support of the gods, as demonstrated by good fortune, prosperity, and social harmony. Conversely, if a ruler faced natural disasters, social unrest, or other signs of misfortune, it was believed that their mandate to rule had been lost.

3. When a ruler lost the Mandate of Heaven, it was considered justifiable for others to rebel or overthrow them in order to restore balance and harmony to society.

4. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven provided a moral framework for political rule, as it emphasized the duty of the ruler to govern responsibly and in the best interest of their people. It also reinforced the idea that leadership was based on virtue and good governance.

Now, to answer your question, it's important to note that while Confucianism and Legalism were influential philosophical schools during the Zhou dynasty, the Mandate of Heaven was not a principle specific to either of them. Rather, it was a broader concept that influenced the governing ideology of the time.

Therefore, the correct answer to your question is: Mandate of Heaven.