Human Nature Is Evil

荀子Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) · ChinaJul 2024

4.5

Word count: 3.7K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Xunzi held that human nature is originally evil. He was a native of Zhao during the Warring States period and a famous thinker and educator. He was also one of the representative figures of Confucianism. The idea that human nature is evil is his main view. At the same time, "evil nature" is a theory by which the Tiantai school expounds the nature of virtue. It mainly explains that evil is inherent in the nature of virtue, and that by realizing evil is none other than the Dharma-nature, one can apply it wondrously without defilement.

Editor's review

This book centers on Xunzi's claim that human nature is evil, presenting the core ideas of the Warring States thinker Xunzi. The materials also note that in the Tiantai school context, "human nature is evil" is used to expound the theory of inherent virtue, explaining that evil is inherent in the nature of virtue and that understanding evil as Dharma-nature enables wondrous functioning without defilement. This juxtaposition gives the book two reading levels: early Confucian thought and Buddhist doctrine. The former concerns the judgment that human nature is evil and its edifying significance; the latter concerns the relationship between evil and Dharma-nature and its transformative role in practice. Readers can thus see how the same concept is used differently in different intellectual traditions and develop an awareness of conceptual distinctions. The book is suitable as supplementary material for thematic reading in intellectual history; it is best read closely after gaining an understanding of Xunzi's thought as a whole and the basic terminology of the Tiantai school, so as not to conflate the two levels of "human nature is evil."

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in early Confucian thought and theories of human nature
Buddhist studies enthusiasts who wish to understand the Tiantai theory of inherent virtue
Intellectual history learners who need training in conceptual distinction
Philosophy students using it as supplementary material for thematic reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a light introductory book or popular story-style text
Beginners who have not yet encountered Xunzi's thought as a whole and read this book directly
Readers seeking a systematic textbook on a single school of thought

Reading tips

Read the basic outline of Xunzi's theory of human nature first, then approach this book, to avoid taking "human nature is evil" out of context.
When reading the Tiantai section, first grasp basic terms such as inherent virtue and Dharma-nature, then appreciate the statement that evil is Dharma-nature.
Prepare two pages of notes, recording respectively the uses of "human nature is evil" in Confucian and Buddhist contexts for comparison.
After each section, restate the core claims in your own words to check whether you have distinguished the two levels of thought.

About the publisher

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) China · Founded in 1901

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) was a private publishing and distribution house in Shanghai during the late Qing and early Republican periods, issuing traditional works by lithographic printing. Judging from the 1,194 titles in the collection, its publishing focused on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, historical reading, traditional Chinese medical texts, and canonical works, along with books on literary appreciation. Representative titles include the poetry and prose collections of Du Fu and Ouyang Xiu; historical works such as the Book of Han and Zizhi Tongjian; classical texts such as the Book of Documents and Mencius; and specialized and literary classics such as Treatise on Cold Damage and Li Sao. Its author resources cover major figures across the ages, including Du Fu, Ban Gu, Sima Guang, Zhang Zhongjing, Qu Yuan, Ouyang Xiu, and Tang Shenwei, reflecting the house's characteristic reliance on traditional scholarship and medical literature while serving general readers. Public information on its early history and operational details is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.

版权信息
性恶第二十三

FAQ

Does Xunzi's claim that human nature is evil mean he denies edification?

The materials only state that Xunzi claims human nature is evil and note that he is one of the representative figures of Confucianism. In his thought, the judgment that human nature is evil is connected with ideas such as edification and ritual propriety. It should be understood in the context of Xunzi's thought as a whole; "human nature is evil" should not be simply equated with a denial of edification.

Is the Tiantai teaching of inherent evil the same as Xunzi's claim that human nature is evil?

They are concepts on different levels. The materials point out that in the Tiantai school, inherent evil is a theory expounding inherent virtue, explaining that evil is inherent in the nature of virtue and that understanding evil as Dharma-nature enables wondrous functioning without defilement. This belongs to a different intellectual tradition from Xunzi's claim about human nature as a judgment, and readers should note the difference in context.

Can I read this book without a Buddhist studies background?

Yes, but the Tiantai section will pose some difficulty. It is advisable to first learn basic terms such as inherent virtue and Dharma-nature before entering the relevant chapters; if your focus is on Xunzi's thought, you may read the Confucian section first and leave the Buddhist doctrine section until you have built up the basics.

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About the author

荀子 Author

Xunzi is one of the representative figures of pre-Qin Confucianism and is generally known by the honorific name "Xunzi"; reliable public information about his real name, native place, and dates of birth and death is limited, making them difficult to verify. The library holds 24 of his works, with representative titles including Xunzi, Fei Shi Er Zi (Against the Twelve Masters), Quan Xue (Encouraging Learning), Fu Guo (Enriching the State), Li Lun (A Discussion of Rites), Xunzi (Fine Public Domain Edition), Jie Bi (Dispelling Blindness), and Tian Lun (A Discussion of Heaven). In terms of subject matter, these pieces span philosophical argument, discussion of ritual institutions, and prose miscellanies. They offer systematic reflection on human nature, Heaven and the Way, and problems of knowledge, while also displaying a rhetorical style that advances step by step and persuasively employs analogies, often using everyday examples to illuminate abstract ideas. His works circulate widely in the categories of Eastern philosophy and philosophical reading, and have had a lasting influence on later Confucian thought and argumentative prose writing.