A Mou Zongsan's criticism of Xunzi: 'Morality is external'. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bedel, Burcin
• Is Part Of: Asian philosophy. Volume 33:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Chinese philosophy -- Xunzi studies -- ethics -- Chinese rituals; Philosophy, Asian -- Periodicals; 181
• DOI: 10.1080/09552367.2022.2162194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2367

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Xunzi lived at the end of the Warring States period (480/403–222 B.C.) of China. He sought solutions to the problems of social and political life, and the management theories he put forward constituted his primary system of thoughts. Xunzi saw a connection between politics and morality and embodied this connection with the concept of rituals . Unlike the thinkers, such as Confucius and Mengzi, who found the basis of morality in Tian 天 (nature), Xunzi brought a new interpretation to the creation process of rituals and morality within the framework of conscious activity . This paper focuses on the creation of rituals and the basis of morality. It interprets Mou Zongsan's criticism of Xunzi: 'morality is external'. By showing the relationship between human nature, Tian, and rituals, I will argue whether morality is 'internal' or 'external' to humans in Xunzi's thoughts.