Executive Briefing: The Battle Over the Human Soul
Mencius argued that human nature is innately good (*Xingshan*), like water flowing downward; Xunzi countered that human nature is innately crooked (*Xing’e*), requiring education and ritual to straighten it like bent wood.
1. The Four Sprouts (Siduan) of Mencius
Compassion, shame, deference, and right/wrong are natural embryonic sprouts that blossom into benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom when cultivated.
2. References
- Van Norden, B. W. (2007). Virtue Ethics and Consequentialism in Early Chinese Philosophy. Cambridge University Press.