Confucianism and Legalism, two philosophies used by leaders in ancient China, were adopted by Chinese leaders to help lead the people of China in times of crisis. Each philosophy dealt with the five functions of religion, social cohesion, bringing meaning to the mundane, asserting social control, providing psychological support, and performing a prophetic function. They also had different beliefs and practices and left its own legacy.
Confucianism and Legalism were philosophies, not religions, but each dealt with the five functions of religion: psychological support, social cohesion, meaning to the mundane, prophetic function, and social control. Neither Confucianism nor Legalism preached an afterlife, so when psychological support was needed someone would not be able to rely on God for help, but instead, Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, would rely on books and education for comfort while Han fei-tse would tell people to keep busy with work. Confucius brings society together, social cohesion, by educating the people and having a system so that everyone knows their place in society. This makes for organization and understanding. Han fei-tse brings society together by inflicting fear in the people by enforcing strict laws. Confucius gives meaning to the mundane not through religion, but instead, since he believes strongly in education, he would educate you in science and that would bring meaning to the mundane. Legalism does not try to educate and it does not give the people anything to believe in and it does not help understand things. Since neither philosophy is a religion they don't perform a prophetic function, however, both have dynamic leaders who are capable of instituting social change. Both philosophies believe that you should be hard ...