Why are the top thinkers in China from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period?

The first is the economy: productive forces determine the relations of production. At that time, with the promotion of ironware and Niu Geng and the development of commercial activities (Linzi, the capital of Qi State), social productivity increased significantly and social wealth accumulated continuously. The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period was a turbulent transition period from slave society to feudal society in ancient China. It is precisely because of years of infighting that the Jing Tian system, on which slavery depended, was destroyed, the emerging landlord class grew up, and the relations of production were gradually established, which enabled the feudal society to be established, and with a certain economic foundation, a group of thoughtful and knowledgeable people gradually appeared. In other words, the economic base determines the superstructure.

Secondly, years of social unrest and mutual annexation between countries have prompted many countries to make changes in order to win the final victory. Rulers urgently need a group of people of insight to help the country carry out reforms to meet the needs of the times. People's minds have been liberated to a certain extent, encouraging people to speak freely and discuss with each other, and giving birth to a group of thinkers.

Then there is ideology and culture: different ideologies and cultures began to collide with each other and gradually intensified, which eventually led to the emergence of Legalists, Confucianists, Mohists, Taoists, famous artists, Yin and Yang.