Legalism

(noun)

A utilitarian political and realist reform-oriented philosophy meant to strengthen government and reinforce adherence to the law, stressing that government had to rely on a strict system of punishments and rewards to maintain law and order.

Related Terms

  • grave goods
  • Qin Shihuang
  • Warring States Period
  • Confucianism

(noun)

A philosophy of focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy, grace and common sense.

Related Terms

  • grave goods
  • Qin Shihuang
  • Warring States Period
  • Confucianism

Examples of Legalism in the following topics:

  • Dura-Europos

    • Before Christianity was legalized in the fourth century, Christians suffered intermittent periods of persecution at the hands of the Romans.
    • When Christianity was legalized in the fourth century, Christians were no longer forced to use pre-existing homes for their churches and meeting houses.
    • House churches, where Christians congregated secretly, were common prior to the legalization of Christianity.
  • Early Christian Art

    • By the early years of Christianity (first century), Judaism had been legalized through a compromise with the Roman state over two centuries.
    • Early Christian art is generally divided into two periods by scholars: before and after the Edict of Milan of 313, which legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.
    • Before Christianity was legalized in the fourth century, Christians suffered intermittent periods of persecution at the hands of the Romans.
    • When Christianity was legalized in the fourth century, Christians were no longer forced to use pre-existing homes for their churches and meeting houses.
    • House churches, where Christians congregated secretly, were common prior to the legalization of Christianity.
  • Literature of the Qin Dynasty

    • In 221 BC, Qin Shihuang, the first Qin emperor, conquered all of the Chinese states and governed with a single philosophy known as legalism.
    • Legalism encouraged severe punishments, particularly when the emperor was disobeyed.
  • The Qin Dynasty

    • Legalism is a philosophy of focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy, grace, and common sense.
  • Architecture under Constantine

    • The following year, however, he enacted the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity and allowed its followers to begin building churches.
    • With the Christian community growing in number and in influence, legalizing Christianity was, for Constantine, a pragmatic move.
  • Babylon

    • Hammurabi is famous for codifying the laws of Babylonia into the Code of Hammurabi that has had a lasting influence on legal thought .
  • Effects of Colonialism on Nigerian Art

    • The British set up administrative and legal structures while practicing indirect rule through traditional chiefdoms.
  • Philosophy and Art of the Han Dynasty

    • The early Western Han court simultaneously accepted the philosophical teachings of Legalism, Huang-Lao Daoism, and Confucianism in making state decisions and shaping government policy.
  • Ivory Carving in the Early Byzantine Empire

    • When Christianity was legalized and later, became the official religion of the Empire, these attitudes remained.
  • Lagash and the Third Dynasty of Ur

    • During Ur III, Sumerian dominated the cultural sphere and was the language of legal, administrative, and economic documents.
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