Origins & Early Life

Shen Dao (c. 360 – c. 285 BC), or (c. 395 – c.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

315 BC), was an early-mid Warring states period Chinese philosopher and writer. Noteworthy as a predecessor influencing both Han Fei and Daoism, his remaining fragments are the most substantial of any Jixia Academy scholar. Often argued to influence the Guanzi, in connection with the flourishing academy, he may have been well known; with references in the Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Lushi Chunqiu, Huangdi Sijing (unnamed), and later Huainanzi, retaining some individual significance into the early Han dynasty. As introduced by Feng Youlan, Shen Dao was early remembered modernly for his influence on the Han Feizi with regards the concept of shi (勢; 'power', 'potential', circumstantial advantage or authority), most notably Chapter 40's "Objection to Positional Power” (Nan shi 難勢). Though defended by the Han Feizi, it sees Shen Dao as having a more naturalistic conception of power compared with "riding the wind", as also depicted in the Zhuangzi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Han Feizi advocates "power founded by men". Sima Qian discusses him amongst the Jixia academy scholars, taking him as rooted in Huang-Lao (Daoism). Later classified by the Confucian archivists...

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