Mencius and Xunzi on Human Nature Mencius and Xunzi both follow Confucian philosophy yet have a dramatically different understanding of human nature. Additionally‚ the two philosophers make their arguments in strikingly different literary methods. Mencius believes that the “goodness of human nature is like the downward course of water” (147) in that people are naturally inclined to be good‚ and he makes this argument through conversations among friends and public figures. In contrast‚ Xunzi staunchly
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1. What social structure does Mencius envision for the ideal society? Who should be in charge? Does he favor choosing officials based on ascriptive status (i.e. their aristocratic pedigree) or does he believe in using meritocratic criteria for selecting officials? Is he egalitarian‚ or does he favor maintenance of a social hierarchy? Mencius developed a very early form of what was to be called in modern times the "social contract." Mencius‚ like Confucius‚ believed that rulers were divinely
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incompetent tendency‚ or if outside influences‚ such as a difficult childhood‚ turned a naturally innocent person into a murderer. The Chinese philosophers‚ Mencius and Xunzi‚ explored this difficulty in their philosophies. While both considered themselves disciples of the philosopher‚ Confucius‚ their perspective on humans were different. Mencius had an optimistic view of humans‚ while Xunzi saw humans as creatures in need of reform.
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Mencius and Han Feizi were both Chinese philosophers who supported various beliefs in how to properly govern a state. Together‚ they were able to create a diverse influence in both the past and present world. Mencius strongly believed that humans are inherently good‚ while Han Feizi was a philosopher adamant about the human nature being selfish and corrupt. Mencius proves that people are naturally virtuous by using an illustration of a baby that has fallen into a well. He explains that people will
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Response – Mencius Throughout Mencius‚ there is continual debate amongst the people regarding human nature; is it‚ by nature‚ good or bad? Every option is discussed by Mencius himself‚ ranging from whether all are born good‚ born evil‚ born with both or born with neither. Overall‚ Mencius succeeds in his description of all possibilities of whether human nature is good or bad. The main permutation discussed by Mencius is that all humans are born good. In Book 2‚ Part A‚ Section 6‚ Mencius describes
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Mencius believes that human nature is innately good. Mencius believes that humans have four virtues that they have been taught in order to flourish and those are compassion‚ shame‚ respect and knowing right from wrong. Mencius doesn’t ignore the fact that there are evil or bad people in this world‚ he believes some people do fail due to poor development or not being taught the virtues of what makes a good human being. On the other hand‚ Hsun-tzu takes Mencius’s ideas and strongly disagrees. To Hsun-tzu
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Caitlin Arnold Human Nature Mencius is an ancient philosopher of China around the fourth century B.C. He was believed to have similar view to the philosopher Confucius‚ and he had a strong view on human nature. Mencius believed that human nature was intrinsically benevolent. Mencius believed that people had four virtues that drove their thoughts and actions. Mencius is quoted to say‚ “Therefore‚ it can be suggested that without a mind of commiseration is not human‚ that a person without
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The two Confucians Mencius and Xunzi held opposing views about human nature. Mencius believed that human nature is good. Every person is born instilled with four main virtues; Righteousness‚ Ritual property‚ Wisdom and Benevolence. These virtues will only develop fully if it is nurtured and put to effect appropriately. He also claimed that those who are not virtuous have been “corrupted by the environment” . He believes that “Individual effort was needed to cultivate oneself‚ but one’s natural
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Chinese Conceptions of “Rights”: From Mencius to Mao—and Now One interpretation is “moral vacuum”. Some western journalists and scholars describe the contemporary protests as symptoms of a pervasive“moral vacuum” in which Chinese supposedly find themselves. They depicted Post-Mao China as a society where Marxism has been discredited‚ but—absent a Western appreciation of individual natural rights—Chinese have no moral compass to guide their changing and confused lives. In other word‚ We Chinese
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“Seek and you will find‚ Neglect and you will lose them” -Mencius This is one of the famous words of Mencius (371-288 B.C.E) who is a famous Philosopher in China. I have read that Mencius believed that‚ “Nature is Good and not evil”‚ which I believe is true. It’s us all up to us whether we do good things or bad. Sometimes people do ‘bad things‚ but ended up thinking what they did was wrong and they will feel regret. I strongly believe that people know the difference between the good and the bad
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