Why did the Legalist thinker Li Su believed that his proposal to destroy ‘dangerous’ ideas was justified? Why is Li Su concerned about the control of history?

Li Su, also known as Li Si, was a prominent Legalist philosopher and politician in ancient China. His proposal to destroy 'dangerous' ideas, known as the 'burning of books and burying of scholars', was justified in his view for several reasons:

1. Preservation of Royal Authority: Li Su believed that these 'dangerous' ideas, many of which came from Confucianism and other philosophies, threatened the authority of the Qin Dynasty. He thought that these ideas encouraged criticism of the government and could lead to rebellion or anarchy.

2. Unification of Thought: Li Su also believed that by destroying these ideas, he could unify the thoughts of the people under Legalism. This would make it easier to govern the people and maintain order in society.

3. Prevention of Confusion: He argued that different philosophies and ideas could confuse the people and lead them astray. By eliminating these ideas, he could prevent this confusion and keep the people focused on their duties.

As for why Li Su was concerned about the control of history, it was because he understood the power of historical narratives. He knew that history could be used to legitimize or delegitimize a ruler or a government. By controlling the narrative of history, he could ensure that the Qin Dynasty was seen in a positive light and that its authority was not questioned. This is why he ordered the burning of historical records that did not align with the official narrative of the Qin Dynasty.