Which philosophy did Emperor Qin employ? Confucianism Daoism Legalism

Emperor Qin Shi Huang is best known for implementing Legalism as his governing philosophy. This school of thought emphasized strict adherence to laws, centralized control, and harsh punishments to maintain order and stability in society. Legalism caused a significant departure from the more benevolent ideals of Confucianism, which focuses on morality and ethical governance. In practice, this meant that dissent was swiftly dealt with, and the emperor centralized power, effectively unifying China under his rule. Interestingly, his implementation of Legalism also led to the infamous burning of Confucian texts and the persecution of scholars, marking a significant shift in Chinese philosophy and governance that would echo through history.