Emperor Fu focused on the most effective way to govern society. He felt that written laws were better than rituals or morals to control human behavior. Fu created laws and strong punishments to keep his empire stable. He thought people were naturally selfish and even evil. According to Fu, obedience to authority was extremely important. Fu also did away with books and any other writings that attempted to undermine his rule. He was a shrewd ruler who worked hard to maintain complete control and power over his empire.

What is most likely true about Fu based on the description?

A. He favored and followed Legalism.

B. He was a supporter of Taoism.

C. He was a supporter of Confucianism.

D. He was a ruler from the Han dynasty.

A. He favored and followed Legalism.

Legalism believes that humans are inherently evil and they must be controlled and punished in order to maintain social order. Adherence to law was stressed in this Chinese school of thought and it was largely authoritarian and efficiency-oriented, torture was normally the consequence for those who opposed the policies of the regime. The other options are incorrect because Confucianism is based on humanistic thought and focuses on the cultivation of virtues with an emphasis on the importance of family and social harmony. Many Confucian ethical practices understand compassion as the essence of human beings. Taoism on the other hand, is a Chinese religious and philosophical tradition whose focus is living in harmony with the Tao, different from Confucianism though, it does not adhere to rigid rituals. And lastly, Emperor Fu couldn’t be a leader of the Han Dynasty because it was the second imperial dynasty of China (206 BC-220 AD) and Emperor Fu was alive during 335-357.