In the intellectual history of ancient China, there were two very important thinkers in Confucianism – Mencius and Xunzi. They lived in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period and were important representatives of Confucianism at that time. Although their views were somewhat different, they both had a profound impact on later generations.
First, let's look at Mencius. He was the son of Sun Zisi, a student of Confucius, and a famous philosopher and educator. He emphasized the moral cultivation and social responsibility of human beings, and put forward the view of "the theory of sexual goodness". He believed that human nature is inherently good, and that people can become good people as long as they follow their conscience. His concept had a great influence on traditional Chinese culture and was known as the "Sect of Confucianism".
Another Confucian scholar, Xunzi, however, took a different view. He proposed in "Persuasion" that "at the beginning of man, his nature is evil". This means that people are not good by nature and need to learn Xi and work hard to get better. He also advocated that law precedes virtue and that law is more important to social order. These ideas have led Xunzi to be hailed as the "ancestor of Legalism" in Chinese history, and his theories have been widely used in the political field.
Although the two masters had different views, they were both one of the main founders of Confucianism and made great contributions to the development of Chinese culture. Whether it is Mencius's "Theory of Sexual Goodness" or Xunzi's "Theory of Sexual Evil", they both emphasize the importance of human responsibility and personal morality. Their views have profoundly influenced Chinese culture and education, and are still widely used today.
Mencius and Xunzi are two milestone figures in the history of the development of Confucianism in China. Their profound insights in the fields of ethics and social governance have not only become treasures of ancient Chinese culture, but also provided valuable lessons for the progress of world civilization. Their spirit will always live in the hearts of the Chinese people, inspiring generations of Chinese to constantly pursue excellence and improve themselves.