"Those who know do not say; those who say do not know." -Lao-tzu "The superior men are sparing in their words and profuse in their deeds." -Confucius The 6th century B.C.E. was an amazing time of philosophical growth for ancient China. It was during that time that the two most influential spiritual leaders native to China‚ Confucius and Lao-tzu‚ are thought to have lived and taught. The philosophies that they practiced‚ Taoism and Confucianism‚ existed simultaneously in dynastic China‚ attracting
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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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Hobbes‚ Hume and Human Nature The essence of human nature has been questioned time and time again throughout history. Because of this uncertainty many have theorized about what the essence or driving force might be. These thoughts were so influential and believed to be so true‚ that they were interpreted into political documents. David Hume (1711-1776) and Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) were two very influential people in regards to human nature. Thomas Hobbes felt more negatively than David Hume
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1 HUMAN NATURE: A CONTESTED CONCEPT Are we inherently good or bad? Are we driven by reason or emotions? Are we selfish or altruistic? Is the human mind malleable or predisposed? These questions are highly contested and the answers to them far from clear. This is due not only to the array of different perspectives on human nature‚ but also to seemingly contradictory evidence. We need only scratch the surface of history to find confirmation that humankind is capable of incredible cruelty and
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Hobbes: Human Nature and Political Theory Thomas Hobbes writes in his 1651 masterpiece Leviathan of his interpretations of the inherent qualities of mankind‚ and the covenants through which they enter in order to secure a peaceful existence. His book is divided up into two separate sections; Of Man‚ in which Hobbes describes characteristics of humans coexisting without the protection of a superior earthly authority‚ and Of Commonwealth‚ which explains how humans trapped in that primal state
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Human nature Did anyone ever teach you how to lie? Did anyone show you how to steal? How did you learn to cheat? These basic questions form the basis of our debate. We believe that human nature is essentially evil based on religious sources‚ through human interaction‚ and our animal instinct. In order to understand our human nature we must first understand evil. Evil is the violation of‚ or intent to violate‚ some moral code. Definitions of evil vary‚ however‚ evil is commonly associated
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Human Nature in Machiavelli and Hobbes The understanding of human nature and the effects it has on the individual and society has been a serious topic in the philosophical world. Nicolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes were well known for their crucial roles in forming the foundation of political philosophy. While reading through Machiavelli’s The Prince and Hobbes’ Leviathan‚ both introduced a common focus on political theory even though living approximately 100 years apart. While learning about these
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In the Mencius‚ translated by D.C. Lau‚ Mencius is urging rulers throughout China to practice a benevolent government in order to sustain a harmonious society. He also presents his view on human nature‚ stating that it is good. In this paper‚ I will develop what Mencius means by this and give supporting reasons on why he thinks this is so. Secondly‚ I will bring up an opposing view from Xunzi who claims that human nature is bad because they lack a moral compass and are driven by selfish desires.
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Human Nature Is Inherently Bad There are many theories as to Human nature. One of which exists‚ under the thoughts of a prominent philosopher‚ and founder of Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. His deductive argument‚ entails his conclusion that man is bad‚ or as Freud explains it as Homo Homini Lupus (man is a wolf to man). Freud justification for such a drastic approach type conclusion‚ can by described as basically atrocities of the century Freud lived in. In example the invasion
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Aristotle Living a human life/human nature Aristotle was a man of philosophy‚ science‚ and mathematics. He used these three tools to explain what he thought the purpose of being a human being was‚ and just what being a human being entailed. To describe what a human being was‚ he came up with many theories‚ which involved friendship‚ happiness‚ and human nature. He also believed that not everyone was a perfect human‚ meaning‚ there were things an individual must do throughout his or her life
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