Xunzi

Xunzi

Xunzi, also known by his birth name of Xun Kuang, was born in 310 BCE and died in approximately 221 BCE. Xunzi lived his entire life during some of China´s most tumultuous years, the infamous Warring States Period, where territories or provinces were constantly battling each other for territory, resources, and people. He was born in the Zhao Province but left in his early twenties to attend the Jixia academy and to fill an advisory position in the Qi Province to the east. He was soon recognized as a man of great potential and philosophical intelligence and left Qi to operate an administrative position in the government of the Chu Province to the south until his sponsor died in 238 BCE causing him into a forced retirement. It was after this retirement that Xunzi was truly able to devote himself to the spreading of his philosophies and traveling around to the different regions of China. Though it is possible that he may have lived long enough to witness the establishment of the unification of China and the establishment of the Qin Dynasty, it can only be left to speculation. Lived from 310 BC to about 221 BC during the warring states period. His philosophy is heavily rooted in Confucian philosophy. It was through his devotion to teaching his interpretation of Confucian philosophy that he was able to influence the future of China and contribute, through his students Li Si and Han Feizi, to the establishment of a more stabilized and unified China.

Works

Xunzi was the primary author of an important philosophical text that was named after him. The text was comprised of 32 books in the form of bamboo strips, 25 of which were authentically written by Xunzi himself. He wrote in the style of argumentative essays instead of in parables as did Zhuangzi or in dialogue form like his primary rival Mencius. The seven books that are not directly attributed to Xunzi were written by his students and followers based on the teachings they received from their master teacher.

Learning

The first step to learning is to be near a teacher, and follow that person and devote one's life to learning. The second is to observe the Confucian rights actively. Through these two steps, learning is a tool to unify oneself. Some steps to learning:

• Hold firm to the inner power => this will bring order to the body => which will help respond to others => which will create a complete man.
• Self cultivate. Be open and serious, be involved in social processes, and reject flattery and accept criticism and act on that criticism.

Learning comes from acting, and acting brings about reactions. If a person does not do the things he/she learns, he/she will not have true knowledge. So a person can be noble, but unless they were to practice daily, they could not be perfect. Perfection comes from taking little steps, achievement means never giving up and will power is the key to never giving up. Knowledge obtained in this way is to be embodied and should not be used to obtain attention.

Politics

Xunzi was a political realist. He taught to dismiss those who are incompetent, promote those who are worthy, punish the evil, transform the ordinary, and anyone that uses talents against the good of the people should put to death. Hierarchy in politics is essential for order. The emperor should not rely on outer force, but should strengthen inner power. Lords should preserve and protect subjects and be respectful towards other lords. A ruler should regulate affairs, have several rates of taxation, and unify commerce so that all can prosper.

Heaven

There are three orders:

• Heaven, which controls the seasons.
• Earth, which controls the resources.
• Man, which controls the government.

According to Xunzi, heaven is a constant. The effect of heaven on humans is determined by their perception and actions. For example, a person who spends all of their money irrationally then prays for more will not become rich. Because of this perception, Xunzi thought it silly to blame heaven for human calamities. He also did not consider the heavens as being supernatural. As shown by the list above, man has no control over the seasons or resources, so instead of worrying about controlling those two things, man should worry about controlling the thing that can be controlled, which is government.

Human nature and rites

According to Xunzi, human nature is evil and should not be followed. To get away from human nature humans must be taught ritual, respect, hard work and charity. Humans should also not rely on emotions. Xunzi taught that if there was no evil in humans, there would be no need for rightness or ritual. If humans were good, why would there be a need to be taught good things? There are three roots which make up the rites:

• Heaven and earth: the root of life
• Ancestors: the root of the human species
• Rulers and teachers: the root of order

Xunzi taught that the proper respect and ritual is needed for all three roots to succeed. He also taught that the mind needs to be empty, unified, still and the ruler of the body and the master of spiritual intelligence. For the mind to become these things proper examination, comparison, and investigations need to occur.

References

de Bary, WM. Theodore & Bloom, Irene. Sources of Chinese tradition, vol 1, 2nd ed. Columbia University Press, 1999 New York. Pages 159-183