Han Fei: Philosopher of Human Darkness

The Chinese Philosopher Who Argued for Human Nature's Dark Side

On April 14, 289 BCE, in the state of Qin, China, the philosopher Han Fei met his demise, allegedly due to the machinations of his rival, Li Si. Han Fei's ideas, however, would live on to influence Chinese thought and governance. Born in 280 BCE, in the state of Han, Han Fei would develop a distinct philosophy that countered the dominant views of his time. His work, the "Han Feizi," would become a cornerstone of Chinese philosophy.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Chinese philosophy, particularly in the Warring States period, was dominated by Confucianism and its emphasis on human goodness and morality. The standard story goes that philosophers like Confucius and Mencius advocated for the inherent goodness of people, and that with the right education and socialization, humans could become virtuous. However, this narrative overlooks the contributions of philosophers like Han Fei, who challenged these assumptions and presented a darker view of human nature.

What History Actually Shows

Han Fei, in his work "Han Feizi," actively challenged the prevailing views of human nature by arguing that people are inherently self-interested and prone to evil. He drew on the experiences of his time, including the constant wars and power struggles between states, to inform his ideas. Historian Sima Qian, in his book "Records of the Grand Historian," written around 91 BCE, notes that Han Fei's philosophy was shaped by his observations of the weaknesses of the feudal system. According to historian Angus Graham, in his book "Disputers of the Tao," published in 1989, Han Fei's ideas were also influenced by the works of earlier philosophers, such as Shen Buhai and Shang Yang. Han Fei's most radical idea was that the only way to control humanity's evil tendencies was through the implementation of strict laws and punishments, a concept that would go on to shape the development of Chinese law and governance. On March 21, 221 BCE, the Qin state, which had adopted many of Han Fei's ideas, unified China for the first time, marking the beginning of the Qin dynasty. By 213 BCE, the Qin had established a comprehensive system of laws, known as the "Qin Code," which reflected Han Fei's emphasis on punishment and control. Historian Mark Edward Lewis, in his book "The Early Chinese Empires," published in 2007, argues that Han Fei's philosophy played a significant role in shaping the Qin's legal system and its approach to governance. As historians continue to study Han Fei's work, it becomes clear that his ideas about human nature and the need for strict laws were not only influential in his time but also continue to resonate in modern Chinese thought.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Xunzi, the Chinese philosopher who argued that people are naturally evil and need laws to control them, was forgotten due to the deliberate actions of scholars and institutions who favored the more popular and palatable ideas of Confucius. The decision by Emperor Wu of Han to establish Confucianism as the official state philosophy in 136 BCE led to a systematic suppression of Xunzi's works and ideas. Scholars such as Dong Zhongshu, who advised Emperor Wu, actively worked to promote Confucian thought while dismissing Xunzi's philosophy as too pessimistic. As a result, many of Xunzi's writings were lost or destroyed, and his ideas were relegated to the fringes of Chinese intellectual history. The fact that Xunzi's philosophy was not aligned with the dominant cultural and political values of the time made it easier for his ideas to be overlooked and forgotten.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of Xunzi's ideas had significant consequences for the development of Chinese thought and politics. The emphasis on Confucianism led to a focus on social hierarchy, morality, and personal relationships, while Xunzi's ideas on the importance of laws and institutions were neglected. This is evident in the fact that the Chinese legal code, which was heavily influenced by Confucian thought, did not fully develop until the Tang Dynasty, over 700 years after Xunzi's time. A specific modern example of this is the Chinese concept of "social harmony," which is still used today to justify restrictions on individual freedoms and emphasizes the importance of maintaining social order. This concept can be directly traced back to the suppression of Xunzi's ideas and the dominance of Confucian thought in Chinese history.

The Line That Says It All

Xunzi's philosophy was ultimately reduced to a footnote in the history of Chinese thought, a minor aberration in the dominant narrative of Confucianism.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Chinese philosophy and the history of the Han Dynasty.