Han Fei was a Chinese philosopher who lived during the Warring States period (approximately 280–233 BCE). He is best known for his contributions to Legalism, a political philosophy that emphasizes strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order in society. Han Fei believed that human nature is inherently selfish, and thus, a strong, centralized authority is necessary to control people's behavior. His writings, compiled in the text known as the Han Feizi, outline his ideas on governance and the importance of law over morality. Han Fei's thoughts significantly influenced the development of the Qin Dynasty, which adopted Legalist principles to unify China and establish a centralized state.