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Are People Born Good or Bad? Confucian Scholars Mencius vs. Xunzi
Mencius and Xunzi are two of the most famous Confucian scholars. However, both have different points of view about human nature.
Are people good, kind, and tolerant by nature? Or
Are people envious, selfish, and evil by nature?
Studying people's psychology is part of Sun Tzu's Art of War philosophy. If you want to be an effective leader, you must learn about human behavior.
After mastering human behavior, you can analyze the enemy troops and your own team.
What are your thoughts about human nature as a person or a leader? How are you getting along or managing people around you?
In this video, I will share what Chinese philosophers say about human nature and how this applies to the Art of War.
According to the Confucian philosopher Mencius,
He said humans are, by nature, righteous and humane. However, the environment affects humans' nature.
Mencius advocates that educational cultivation in the right environment is essential for humans to be good.
Mencius believes people are bad because of society's problems.
When people live in a bad environment, they will become one of them.
One of the most famous traditional Chinese four-character idioms is 孟母三遷 (pinyin: mèngmǔ-sānqiān); lit.
Mencius's mother moves three times
The saying refers to the legend that Mencius's mother moved houses three times before finding a location suitable for the child's upbringing.
Mencius's father passed away when he was very young, so his mother takes care of him.
Mencius's mother moved to a house next to the cemetery. His mother saw young Mencius chanting and singing funeral songs from the paid mourners.
Then his mother moved to near the wet market where he could hear the butcher shouting and killing. The young Mencius started imitating the butchers.
His mother moved the third time. They moved to a house near a school. Mencius then became influenced to study like the scholars and students he saw, and eventually, he became a scholar. Mencius's mother settled down here to give the young Mencius a good upbringing.
Mencius believes people are naturally compassionate and helpful, and doing compassionate things would fulfill one's needs.
Mencius advocates that if the country is orderly and peaceful, there is no need for strict laws. The positive environment will naturally influence people to be orderly.
If you are a leader, here is what Mencius believes...
The ruler, feudal lords, and ministers must practice benevolence politics. All leaders must treat their people with benevolence and goodness to gain loyalty and trust.
However, the famous Confucian scholar Xunzi holds the opposite opinion. He believes human nature is evil.
People are naturally born with envy and hate, selfish, profit-minded, and attached to beautiful sights and sounds.
All these lead to conflicts and disagreements.
Xunzi believes people can improve themselves by learning good habits and manners. These virtues can be learned through a teacher and by following rituals and morals.
For leaders, Xunzi believes...
Law must be strict and enforced for people to be orderly and morally sound.
Human nature is evil, and the goodness of one's behavior results from conscious activity.
Since people are naturally selfish, envious, self-profiting, and egoistic, There must be a moral law for them to follow.
This is also mentioned in Sun Tzu's Art of War book. Every government must impose strict Moral laws for people to follow.
In Sun Tzu's Art of War text, he said,
The moral law which causes people to be in total accord with the ruler.
So, are humans by nature good or bad? This age-old question has sparked countless debates among philosophers, psychologists, and sociologists, each offering their own perspectives on the inherent nature of humanity.
The complexity of human behavior cannot be boiled down to a simple binary of good or bad; rather, it exists on a spectrum influenced by a multitude of factors.
One thing we know is that the environment significantly influences the way humans behave.
From the family dynamics in which one is raised to the broader cultural context of society, these external factors play a crucial role in shaping an individual's moral compass and behavior patterns.
For instance, individuals who grow up in nurturing, supportive environments are often more likely to develop positive traits such as empathy and altruism, while those who experience neglect or abuse may struggle with trust and social interactions.
The social environment, including peer influences and community values, further shapes behaviors, often reinforcing or challenging personal beliefs and actions.
One can indeed become a better person by actively seeking out the right environment. This involves surrounding oneself with positive influences—friends who uplift, mentors who guide, and communities that promote constructive values.
Engaging in environments that prioritize kindness, cooperation, and understanding can lead to personal growth and a stronger inclination toward good behavior. Additionally, exposure to diverse perspectives can foster compassion and empathy, allowing individuals to understand and appreciate the experiences of others, which is vital for moral development.
Moral education is essential to keep people in good behavior and manners. This education can take many forms, from formal schooling that includes ethics and character development to informal lessons learned through family interactions and community involvement.
Teaching individuals about the consequences of their actions, the importance of empathy, and the value of integrity helps cultivate a society where good behavior is the norm. Moreover, moral education should not be a one-time event but rather a continuous process that evolves as individuals grow and face new challenges in life.
Leaders must set an example for their people by practicing benevolence politics and doing good for them.
When leaders demonstrate integrity, compassion, and a commitment to the welfare of their constituents, they inspire trust and loyalty.
Such leaders prioritize the common good over personal gain, showing that ethical behavior is possible and essential for societal well-being. In return, the people will be loyal and obey, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose that benefits everyone involved.
Furthermore, leaders must implement laws and execute punishments to maintain order and keep people in accord with the leader. Establishing laws serves as a framework within which individuals can navigate their interactions with one another.
These laws are designed to protect the rights of individuals and ensure that societal norms are upheld. However, these laws must be just and fairly enforced; otherwise, they may lead to resentment and resistance among the populace.
Punishments create fear and serve as a reminder so that people will consciously be well-mannered and behave the right way. While fear can be a powerful motivator, it is essential to balance this with positive reinforcement.
A solely punitive approach may lead to compliance out of fear, but it does not necessarily foster genuine respect for the law or moral values.
Therefore, a combination of consequences for negative behavior and rewards for positive actions can create a more harmonious society, encouraging individuals to act ethically not merely to avoid punishment but because they understand and value the principles behind their actions.
That's the art of managing people regardless of whether the person is good or bad. Effective management requires a nuanced understanding of human behavior and the ability to inspire individuals to strive for their best selves.
It involves recognizing everyone's potential for growth and change, fostering an environment where positive traits can flourish, and addressing negative behaviors through constructive means.
Ultimately, whether to agree or disagree with either Confucius Mencius or Xunzi, whether humans are inherently good or bad, may not have a definitive answer.
Still, the emphasis on moral education, positive environments, and exemplary leadership can certainly guide individuals toward a more virtuous existence.
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