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HST330Sign up for one of the following questions and write a two- page response (approximately 500 words) in preparation for the class debate on human nature (Wednesday, January 11). Your response will be due in class on the day of the debate; late submissions will not be accepted without a reasonable excuse. Your written response will be worth 10% of the final grade, and while your participation in the class debate will not be specifically graded (since there may not be enough time for everyone in the class to speak), it will count towards your final Class Participation mark. The passages referred to in the square brackets should point you in the right direction, though you are encouraged to consider other passages as well.
I. Mencius 1. How does Mencius define the concept of “human nature” (in contrast to Xunzi’s remarks on pages 180-181)? [6A1-2; 6A6]
2. What is Mencius’ argument for the essential “goodness” of human nature? [2A6]
3. How does Mencius deal with the fact that humans often fail to manifest their “good” natures? [6A6; 6A8-9; 6A15]
4. According to Mencius, how is “goodness” to be cultivated? [6A14-15]
5. Does Mencius value humanity and ritual equally, or does he give priority to one over the other? [6A16-19]
II. Xunzi 1. Why does Xunzi reject Mencius’ definition of “human nature”? [180-181]
2. How does Xunzi try to prove that human nature is in fact “evil”? [179-180]
3. Compare Xunzi’s understanding of the relationship between the sense faculties and the heart/mind with the view presented by Mencius. [179-180; cf. Mencius: 6A15]
4. How does Xunzi feel that “goodness” should be cultivated? [179-180, 182]
5. Does Xunzi value humanity and ritual equally, or does he give priority to one over the other? [182-3]
III. Mencius vs. Xunzi Using quotations from both Mencius and Xunzi, provide your own response to the question of whether human nature is good or evil?
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