Seungyoon, Mok (USC ID: 4269-80-1785)
TA: Gladys Mac
EALC 110g – East Asian Humanities 1st Paper
10.22.2014
Topic: Compare and contrast the attitudes of Mencius and Xunzi to the subject of human nature. How do these differences relate to their different interpretations of individual betterment?
When we get up and read newspapers in the morning, we can contact diverse news. Among them, there are touching stories that someone sacrifices and serves for other people. It makes people have that a human being is kind-hearted. On the other hand, undesirable stories such as murder or robbery show that human nature is originally wicked. What would we think? How do we react naturally to accidents or issues in the world? These questions look like hopeless …show more content…
He taught moral conduct and suggested the idea of what people would do and what is right to do. Confucius wanted his disciples to improve their human nature and characters through moral conduct. Among the disciples who succeeded to the philosophy of Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi are most famous and their theories have been studied until now because they argued the perfectly opposite philosophy and developed Confucianism. Mencius believed that people are born to be good and human nature is kind. His idea which is based on Confucius’ thoughts contains values that people should pursue and positive side of human nature. On the contrary, Xunzi considered that people are born evil. His view of human nature is different from Mencius’ view and even his teacher, Confucius’ view. Even though two huge extremes developed from one teacher, both of them are important stream in philosophy and especially negative view of human nature of was a basis of …show more content…
“Here is why I say that all human beings have a mind that commiserates with others. Now, if anyone were suddenly to see a child about to fall into a well, his mind would always be filled with alarm, distress, pity, and compassion.” (de Bary p129) Mencius thought that saving the child into the wall with positive feelings is instinct reaction. A person who saves the child doesn’t pursue reward or glory. This story well supports that human being are born with a good
TA: Gladys Mac
EALC 110g – East Asian Humanities 1st Paper
10.22.2014
Topic: Compare and contrast the attitudes of Mencius and Xunzi to the subject of human nature. How do these differences relate to their different interpretations of individual betterment?
When we get up and read newspapers in the morning, we can contact diverse news. Among them, there are touching stories that someone sacrifices and serves for other people. It makes people have that a human being is kind-hearted. On the other hand, undesirable stories such as murder or robbery show that human nature is originally wicked. What would we think? How do we react naturally to accidents or issues in the world? These questions look like hopeless …show more content…
He taught moral conduct and suggested the idea of what people would do and what is right to do. Confucius wanted his disciples to improve their human nature and characters through moral conduct. Among the disciples who succeeded to the philosophy of Confucius, Mencius and Xunzi are most famous and their theories have been studied until now because they argued the perfectly opposite philosophy and developed Confucianism. Mencius believed that people are born to be good and human nature is kind. His idea which is based on Confucius’ thoughts contains values that people should pursue and positive side of human nature. On the contrary, Xunzi considered that people are born evil. His view of human nature is different from Mencius’ view and even his teacher, Confucius’ view. Even though two huge extremes developed from one teacher, both of them are important stream in philosophy and especially negative view of human nature of was a basis of …show more content…
“Here is why I say that all human beings have a mind that commiserates with others. Now, if anyone were suddenly to see a child about to fall into a well, his mind would always be filled with alarm, distress, pity, and compassion.” (de Bary p129) Mencius thought that saving the child into the wall with positive feelings is instinct reaction. A person who saves the child doesn’t pursue reward or glory. This story well supports that human being are born with a good