Mencius and Xunzi on Human Nature

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the views of Mencius and Xunzi, Chinese philosophers from c. 300 B.C., who belonged to the school of thought of Confucius (551-479 BC). It compares their differing approaches to human nature and relates that while Mencius saw the individual as fundamentally good, Xunzi's viewed human nature as bad and in need of care and correction. The paper addresses the influence of these two extremely influential philosophers, whose contrasting approaches continue to be seen today in Chinese civilization. The paper concludes that their thoughts on human nature are timeless and, thus, they will continue to be reviewed and discussed for many years to come.

Outline:
Introduction
Human Nature as Corruptible
Man as Weak and Bad
Implications over Time
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper:

"Mencius spent years moving from court to court and we presume that he had many chances to see how feudal rulers chose to lead. He was a sought after advisor to different rulers towards much thinking on what worked and what did not to restore order, for example, or prevent future troubles. He seems to have come up with something like the Social Contract that shaped Western thinking in the modern era in a model of a decent kind of leadership and attention to the needs of life and protecting citizens to which individuals could adhere. If a decent environment was not provided, then the people should be expected to overthrow those in power towards new leadership. In the view of Mencius, a ruler must show jen in humaneness, humanity and benevolence, as a very old Chinese concept indeed. (Chan Jen) There should also be the yi of righteousness and a sense of duty, if a ruler wanted to see righteousness, cooperation and industriousness amongst his subjects."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chan, Wing-Tsit. A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy. Princeton University Press, 1973.
• "The Evolution of the Concept of Jen." Philosophy East & West. 4. (1954):295-320.
• Dubs, Homer H. "Mencius and Xunzi on Human Nature." Philosophy East & West. 6. (1956): 213-222.
• Ebrey, Patricia. "Xunzi - a Discussion of Ritual" in Chinese Civilization - a Sourcebook. 2nd edition. New York: Free Press, 1993.
• Hwang, Philip Ho. "What is Mencius's Theory of Human Nature?" Philosophy East & West. 29. (1979): 201-209.

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