Integrating Nature with Nurturing:The Approach Proposed by Xun Tzu to Cultivating Virtue
Based on his belief that virtue should be obtained through both internal and external transformation,Edward Slingerland argued that Xun Tzu was not sound enough in asserting that external interests or goals was the only driving force for virtue-cultivating while ignored the role of internal morality.Xun Tzu,according to Slingerland,covertly adopted an intrinsic approach in his proposal for virtue-cultivating in a seemingly external way.This paper addresses Slingerland's opinion and tries to prove that it's quite feasible for Xun Tzu to acknowledge that intrinsic morality within human nature can be utilized in cultivating virtues.Xun Tzu's theory of moral development and cultivation of virtues is inseparable from cognition,affirmation,appreciation,and respect for intrinsic morality which falls under the category of knowledge based on goodness,contrasting against Mencius'view of innate,natural virtues.This paper claims that apart from wisdom cultivated through reflection,experience,there should also be the cultivation of ability of moral creativity and holistic perspective,which is vital to virtue nurturing.This paper also presents a comprehensive image of the approach proposed by Xun Tzu to cultivating virtue centered on"nurturing-nature",incorporating both intrinsic and extrinsic elements.
Xun Tzuvirtuenatureevil natureraw material and simplicitytransformation of human nature
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