ABSTRACT
While the emergence of the Legalist school as a definite system of thought came only in the time of Shentze, Yinwentze and Hanfeitze, the ideal of Law existed as far back as the days of Kwan Chung and Tzechan. Etymologically the Chinese character for law includes the ideas of straight and erect, and implies a standard of conduct. Motze teaches, "Law is that which gives direction to right conduct." Yinwentze gives an analysis of his conception of law as follows: "Law can be divided into four kinds: the unchangeable law which regulates the relationships of the emperor and his officers." In order to effect uniformity, a uniform standard-the law-is necessary. The Legalists advocate "the promulgation of public law rather than the use of personal favours" and "the administration of law rather than the use of personal judgment". The conception of law began in the middle of the Chan-Kuo period, and reached full development before the period was entirely over.
