ESTERN theory is a comparatively young discipline. Industrial theory looks back only to Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) and his Principles of Scientific Management. Political theory could perhaps call Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1529) its founder, but most writers would be reluctant to acknowledge amoral Prince as father of their discourses. Most theorists would be astonished to learn how ancient is systematic study of principles. In third century B.C., 1,750 years before time of Machiavelli and more than 2,ooo years before Taylor, there lived in China one who may truly be called a pioneer of theory. This was Han Fei Tzu, greatest philosopher of so-called Legalist school of ancient Chinese philosophy. What was Legalist school? It arose late in classic age of Chinese philosophy, period from sixth through third centuries B.C. In this period, three great culture areas of world passed through a time of philosophical speculation and social unrest, leading to a time of intellectual weariness and imperial unification. In India, China, and Greece, philosophy began its adventures of mind with speculation on universe and nature of reality. Tiring of this, philosophy in all three cultures concluded, 2,000 years before Alexander Pope, that the proper study of mankind is man. But, in its study of man, each culture chose a distinctive approach. When Greek philosophy turned its attention from cosmos, it focused upon individual and his welfare. How could individual achieve self-realization, and at same time attain inner peace? This was > The author turns to East for genesis of theory. He finds ini life of an oriental philosopher turned management consultant seed and exposition of many traditional concepts.