Theory of Evil Human Nature
simple:Theory of Evil Human Nature
| Theory of Evil Human Nature | |||||||
| Chinese | 性恶论 | ||||||
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Natural evilness (性恶论) is a view of human nature. It says that human nature tends to be evil, and it is easier to do evil than to do good. It was first proposed by Xunzi against Mencius' Theory of Good Human Nature.[1]
Xunzi says that all human goodness comes from active efforts from humans[2]
Xunzi[edit]
"Human Nature is Evil" is a part of a book written by Xunzi. He was arguing against Mencius about human nature. The term "xing" (性) means "human nature" and refers to the way people are born. Mencius thought that human nature was good. Xunzi disagreed and believed that human nature was evil..[1]
Both believed in human nature and both believed it was possible to become better, but some people refused it.[1] Mencius saw Xing as more related to an ideal state and Xunzi saw it more as a starting state[1]
Even though Mencius had already died when the book was written, the chapter is written like a conversation between the two philosophers. Xunzi's ideas about becoming a good person were more complex than Mencius's. He believed that people needed to change their nature, not just give up on it. Some people thought Xunzi's ideas were strange, but new discoveries suggest that it might have actually been Mencius who had unusual ideas about human nature.[1]
The chapter is called "Human Nature is Evil," but that's not the whole story. Xunzi thought that people could improve themselves by learning good habits and manners, which he called "artifice." (偽) He believed that people needed to transform their nature to become good. This could be done by learning from a teacher and following rituals and morals.[1]
Even though some people doubt if the chapter is real, it's an important part of Xunzi's philosophy. People still talk about it today and think about the differences between Xunzi and Mencius's ideas about human nature and how to become a better person..[1]
Xunzi only stated that the "heart" can observe reason, that is, it can distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil,[3] but it is not the source of value. So where does the standard come from? According to Xunzi's theory of evil human nature, morality will ultimately become a tool of external value used to maintain social stability and appeal to authoritarianism. Mencius' theory of good human nature, on the other hand, states that humans are inherently good and we have an internal value foundation (the Four Beginnings).
Related pages[edit]
- Original sin
- Human nature
- Theory of Good Human Nature
- Christian views on sin
- Sin
- evil
- Total depravity
- Radical evil
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Goldin, Paul R. (2018), "Xunzi", in Zalta, Edward N., The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2018 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2023-04-14
- ↑ http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/cup/xunzi_human_nature.pdf
- ↑ "Exposing the Hidden Chapter": "Therefore, the human heart is like a bowl of water. If it is level and not stirred, then the muddy sediment will settle at the bottom and the clear water will rise to the top. Then one can see the eyebrows and observe reason. If a gentle breeze passes over it, the muddy sediment will be stirred up from the bottom, and the clear water will become turbulent at the top, and then one cannot obtain the correct form of the big picture. The heart is also like this. Therefore, take it away with reason and nourish it with clarity. Nothing can incline it, and it can be used to determine right from wrong and resolve doubts."
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