Han Fei's Doctrine of Self-interest

Goldin, Paul R.

doi:10.1080/09552360120116900

Cited by 27 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…He adds that a culture of merit that communicates why some subjects are more deserving of privilege than others is necessary to legitimize the 13 The issue of the democratic or impersonal quality of the ruler's governance undoubtedly remains a subject of debate. For instance, Goldin (2005) suggests that the HFZ merely represents an amoral doctrine of self-interest, in which 'gong' (公) is nothing but the ruler's self-interest. While Goldin allows for the idea that 'gong' can include residual benefits for the subjects, his suggestion still obscures the critical impersonal aspect of the ruler's self-interest that partially legitimizes the ruler's authority in the HFZ.…”

Section: Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

The [Not So] Hidden Curriculum of the Legalist State in the Book of Lord Shang and the Han-Fei-Zi

King¹

2018

Comp. Philos.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper draws some parallels between the experience of a subject in a socalled "Legalist" state with that of a contemporary student in Western schooling today. I explore how governance in the Book of Lord Shang and the Han-Fei-Zi can be interpreted as pedagogy. Defining pedagogy in a relatively broad sense, I investigate the rationalizations for the existence of the state, the application of state mechanisms, and even the concentration of the ruler's power and how they teach subjects habits, attitudes, and sensibilities in a similar fashion to what Philip Jackson called the "hidden curriculum". Through his framework of "crowds, praise, and power" this paper will explore how governance teaches and what those subjected to it learn. This study also attempts to provide some insight into the usefulness of approaching "Legalist" texts with a positive sociological lens.

show abstract

Section: Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

The [Not So] Hidden Curriculum of the Legalist State in the Book of Lord Shang and the Han-Fei-Zi

King¹

2018

Comp. Philos.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…3 In the context of the overall intention of Han Fei's philosophy, this chapter holds a special place, since it for once does not focus on the ruler or on the state machinery as such, but analyzes society as the philosopher perceives it. This chapter introduces a distinct methodological approach (Harris, 2009), the 'theory' of self-interest (Goldin, 2001), and a historic analysis of the different types of behavior human beings follow and rulers have dealt with. Simply put, in most chapters of his book, Han Fei is busy showing how the state has to work in order to generate order, while in this chapter, he takes a look on the sources of chaos.…”

Section: How Can Han Fei Be Concerned With Welfare?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Han Fei, De, Welfare

Schneider¹

2013

Asian Philosophy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper explores the relation of order and welfare for Han Fei's philosophy. It will be claimed that the Legalist did indeed show concern for the overall quality of life of society, claiming that his model state would lead to a substantial increase for the individual's welfare. On the other hand, although he acknowledges (and cares) for these positive consequences, Han Fei does not attach any value for legitimizing the system he proposes to them. Even if there were any value attached to benefitting the people, it would be indirect. For Han Fei, a welfare does not legitimize the system but is a consequence of the 'right system'. He is not concerned with letting the people live better for the sake of the people, but rather with having healthy and motivated subjects, as these are at the same time consequences of, and requirements for, a strong and stable state. The novelty of this paper is to interpret Han Fei's philosophy as welfare-maximization through a specific understanding of the role of virtue.

show abstract

“…16 16 Goldin (2001, p. 156). The idea that Han Fei employed Daoist terminology to amorally exalt the ruler is also mentioned by Burton Watson in Han Fei (1964, p. 10) and by Peerenboom (1993, p. 150). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 7 Goldin (2020, p. 212). For further insights on this matter, see Paul Goldin's exploration of the “doctrine of self‐interest” in the Hanfeizi , in Goldin (2001, p. 152, 2005, pp. 59–65). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Amoralism in the Hanfeizi

Escoffier

2024

Philosophy Compass

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article surveys three possible ways to assess morality in the Hanfeizi. The first is the “traditional” outlook, according to which Han Fei disregards all moral considerations in politics. The second acknowledges the presence of moral questions in the text but maintains that it ultimately promotes amoralism as an essential feature of the Legalist state. A (less common) third way is to say that there is a moral core to Han Fei's political philosophy. I will defend the third way, which shifts the perception of the Hanfeizi from a mere manual of political manipulation to a comprehensive ideal vision for the world. This interpretation necessitates a recognition of how political morality can coherently exist alongside an apparent divide between private ethics and political action. This is something that those seeking more systematic forms of ethics in the Hanfeizi might overlook.

show abstract

Han Fei's Doctrine of Self-interest

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

The [Not So] Hidden Curriculum of the Legalist State in the Book of Lord Shang and the Han-Fei-Zi

The [Not So] Hidden Curriculum of the Legalist State in the Book of Lord Shang and the Han-Fei-Zi

Han Fei, De, Welfare

Amoralism in the Hanfeizi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About