Human Nature Was Evil
Hsuntze^ Guardian of Confucianism
BY WARNER FAN
/CONTRARY TO COMMON belief, ^ Confucianism has not always been the official system of thought in China. Confucius taught near the end of the "Spring-Autumn" period (770-475 B.C.), followed by what is known in Chinese history as "Warring States" characterized by continuous strife.
Yet, ironic enough, it was during this chaotic age of Chinese history that intellectual pursuits were at its creative best, even though the teachings of the Great Master were all but ignored.
Motze was the first to challenge Confucian orthodoxy. His teachings were further developed by Hui Shih and Kung Sun Lung. Meanwhile, a new philosophy—Taoism―was inaugurated by Yang Chu, extended by the disciples of Laotze and established by Chuang-tze. There were also others who, like the 18th century French philosopher Voltaire, had no system of their own to offer, despite their sagacity in at-
tacking existent philosophies. Such a state of affairs was not conducive for Confucianism, which would have vanished were it not for Mencius (372-289) and his younger (by some 50 years) contemporary, Hsuntze, who together with Confucius are now regarded as the triume of Confucianism.
Both Mencius and Hsuntze sought to reinvigorate Confucius' teachings by the doctrine of human nature. Mencius insisted that a man's nature was an admixture of "human" and "animal" nature; human nature was good, whereas animal nature was morally indifferent but could, unless duly controlled, lead to evil. The purpose of education and government, then, was to nurture this goodness in human nature to enable it to develop, and to direct the animal nature towards the four virtues of human-heartedness, justice, trustworthiness and altruism.
To Hsuntze, however, this idea of
MEET 丫OUR FRIENDS AT THE SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR ...
10th Annual VANCOUVER CHINESE GOUfCLUB,S~
NEW-YEAR'S EVE DANCE
at
OSCARS STEAK HOUSE
Full coure prime rib steak dinner Only $12.50 per couple Dance to Doug Parker and his orchestra
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31， 1960
Ask any club member for seating plan For reservations phone Mr. John Lim ML) 5-5860
PACE FOUR
CHINATOWN NEWS, NOV. 18, 1960
