Philosophy of Hsun Tzu
Hsun Tzu
Hsun Tzu was a Confucian Chinese philosopher who lived approximately between 310 BC-219 BC. He is often portrayed as the antithesis of his contemporary philosopher Mencius. Hsun Tzu’s influence can be seen in the formation of the official state doctrine of the Han Dynasty however his influence waned in comparison to Mencius in the Dynasties that followed.1 In this exegesis essay I will be focus on two of Hsun Tzu’s philosophies; his theory on human nature and his theory concerning nature. I will also offer my personal objections to both these claims and examine if Hsun Tzu’s work is able to effectively stand up to them. In his teachings, Hsun Tzu’s theory on human nature and morality differs quite substantially from other Confucian philosophers. Whereas other contemporaries of Hsun Tzu like Mencius believed human nature is originally good, Hsun Tzu maintains in his teachings that man from the outset is originally evil. Hsun Tzu states this theory quite explicitly in the following passage, “Now man’s inborn nature is to seek for gain. If these tendencies are followed strife and rapacity result and deference and compliance disappear… By inborn nature one possesses the desires of ear and eye and likes sound and beauty. If these tendencies are followed, lewdness will result …”2 It is easy to see how Hsun Tzu could have arrived at such a conclusion. We can see in our own everyday experience that these tendencies are a core part of ourselves. Many people seem to be driven by amassing wealth and social status (seek for gain) as well as indulgence of drugs, sex and food (desires of ear and eye).
In order for humans to become good they must resist their original nature. “Therefore there must be the civilizing influence of teachers and laws and guidance of propriety and righteousness… From this point of view, it is clear that the nature of man is evil and that his goodness is the
Hsun Tzu was a Confucian Chinese philosopher who lived approximately between 310 BC-219 BC. He is often portrayed as the antithesis of his contemporary philosopher Mencius. Hsun Tzu’s influence can be seen in the formation of the official state doctrine of the Han Dynasty however his influence waned in comparison to Mencius in the Dynasties that followed.1 In this exegesis essay I will be focus on two of Hsun Tzu’s philosophies; his theory on human nature and his theory concerning nature. I will also offer my personal objections to both these claims and examine if Hsun Tzu’s work is able to effectively stand up to them. In his teachings, Hsun Tzu’s theory on human nature and morality differs quite substantially from other Confucian philosophers. Whereas other contemporaries of Hsun Tzu like Mencius believed human nature is originally good, Hsun Tzu maintains in his teachings that man from the outset is originally evil. Hsun Tzu states this theory quite explicitly in the following passage, “Now man’s inborn nature is to seek for gain. If these tendencies are followed strife and rapacity result and deference and compliance disappear… By inborn nature one possesses the desires of ear and eye and likes sound and beauty. If these tendencies are followed, lewdness will result …”2 It is easy to see how Hsun Tzu could have arrived at such a conclusion. We can see in our own everyday experience that these tendencies are a core part of ourselves. Many people seem to be driven by amassing wealth and social status (seek for gain) as well as indulgence of drugs, sex and food (desires of ear and eye).
In order for humans to become good they must resist their original nature. “Therefore there must be the civilizing influence of teachers and laws and guidance of propriety and righteousness… From this point of view, it is clear that the nature of man is evil and that his goodness is the