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Legalism: meaning, definitions and examples

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legalism

 

[ ˈliːɡəlɪzəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

philosophy of law

Legalism is a strict, literal adherence to the law or a system of laws, often emphasizing the importance of exact compliance and authority over individual morality or discretion. In political theory, it can refer to the idea that law should govern a nation, as opposed to a ruler or elite status. This philosophy is commonly associated with certain ancient Chinese schools of thought, advocating for clear rules and regulations as the foundation for social order.

Synonyms

lawfulness, rigidity, strictness

Examples of usage

  • The government's legalism has stifled individual rights.
  • Legalism in ancient China led to the unification of law and state.
  • Critics argue that legalism undermines moral values.

Translations

Translations of the word "legalism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 legalismo

🇮🇳 कानूनवाद

🇩🇪 Legalismus

🇮🇩 legalisme

🇺🇦 легалізм

🇵🇱 legalizm

🇯🇵 法治主義

🇫🇷 légalisme

🇪🇸 legalismo

🇹🇷 hukukçuluk

🇰🇷 법치주의

🇸🇦 القانونية

🇨🇿 legalismus

🇸🇰 legalizmus

🇨🇳 法治主义

🇸🇮 legalizem

🇮🇸 lögfræðilegur

🇰🇿 заңдылық

🇬🇪 იურიდიული

🇦🇿 qanunçuluq

🇲🇽 legalismo

Word origin

The term 'legalism' originates from the Latin word 'legalis', which means 'pertaining to the law'. The concept gained further prominence during the Warring States period in China (475-221 BC), where it was associated with the philosophical teachings of Han Feizi, who emphasized that human nature is inherently selfish and thus requires strict laws and regulations to maintain order in society. Legalism contrasted sharply with other philosophical schools like Confucianism, which advocated for moral virtues and ethics as the basis for governance. Over the centuries, legalism has been applied in various contexts to describe systems that prioritize law and order, often at the expense of individual freedoms. This historical backdrop contributes to its modern interpretation, where legalism can encompass both a philosophical stance and a critique of overly punitive legal systems.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,949, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.