Good vs Evil

There is always a debate between whether human beings are born essentially good or evil. Though some may agree with one or another, good and evil are one thread; they are just the same line viewed from different sides. Environment may be one of the major factors that create different perspectives within each person. According to the article “A Debate over Good and Evil” from World History, William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel mention how there are two sayings of the human nature: good versus evil. Mencius, an ancient Chinese humanitarian philosopher, claims that human are born with a good heart, while another ancient Chinese philosopher, Xunzi, argues that evil is inherent in human nature.

The representative Chinese philosopher for the goodness of human nature is Menius, or 孟子 in Chinese. Menius was born in the fourth century B.C.E. during the Zhou dynasty and the Warring State period. During that time, the king of the Zhou dynasty was ill and China was divided into various small city-states with their own governors who were constantly at war with each other. Despite this chaotic environment, Mencius traveled to other states in attempt on converting and advising the ruler of the states to reform after he studied under Confucius’ grandson Zisi. He was later known for defending Confucian ideal and best known for his book Mengzi (or Mencius), a book that records his conversations with the kings of the Chinese states at that time. This book is categorized as one of the Four Books of the Neo-Confucian thought. Unlike Confucius’ sayings in Analect, Mencius has long dialogues and arguments with extensive proses. In the book Mencius, Mencius wrote on three main terms: tian (Heaven), ming (destiny), and de (virtue, power). Tian re...

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...who impacted Chinese history and people with their sophisticated thoughts and wise philosophy, they have different understandings of life due to the different environment they grew up in and the society that shaped them the way they are. However, good and evil are just the same line viewed from different sides. People can either be innately good or evil, but the morality of their lives depends on how they live.

Works Cited

Bickerton, A. W. The Philosopher. Vol. LXXXIV. N.p.: n.p., 1996. Print.

Chan, C.W. "Good and Evil in Chinese Philosophy." The Philosopher. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.

Liang, Hui Wang. "Mencius 孟子." Mencius. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.

Loi, Shun, Kwong. "Mencius." Stanford University. Stanford University, 16 Oct. 2004. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.

Robins, Dan, Robins,. "Xunzi." Stanford University. Stanford University, 13 Feb. 2007. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.