On the Consensus, Assimilation and Abandonment of Other Scholars' Thoughts in Han Fei's Evolutionary History Theory

Evolutionary history theory was the key theory in Han Fei's thought system. The main point of the theory is that society was constantly changing, and governor should vary the ruling policy with the characteristics of the historical periods. Comparing with theories of other scholars, Han Fei's evolutionary history theory was consistent with the thoughts of all scholars in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period, on the acknowledgement of development and the classification of history. In addition, Han Fei assimilated and abandoned the thoughts from other scholars in his specific views of ancient society, variation of ethos in three reigns, and reform based on the real situation.