2. Schools of Philosophy To Be or Not To Be: Evil

3. Human Nature There were roughly, at the time of Confucius, three schools of thought regard to human nature –Humans are basically selfish –Humans are basically good –Humans are not totally evil

4. Pessimistic Humans are basically selfish

5. Pessimists Xunzi who lived after Confucius believed that humans “veer toward self interest.” They need to be taught. Education therefore, “must be a radical moral and social reformation of human tendencies that are primarily selfish and individualistic.”

6. Faji - Legalists There were also Legalists who even had more contempt for human character. Humans will lie and cheat and kill for their own interest. Without stern laws with punishment society would disintegrate.

7. Optimistic Humans are basically good

8. Mohists Mozi (Mo Tzu, circa. 479 and 381 BCE) believed that all people needed to do was to love one another and society would be transformed. Love could change all of the evil of the world. People needed to share their possessions.

9. Taoists Taoists are very optimistic. They believe that humans are basically good. They were optimistic about human goodness and “rejected all moral or intellectual education of any kind.”

10. Middle Ground Humans are not totally evil

11. Middle Ground Confucians, lead by one of his disciples Mencius, took the middle ground. This position recognized the human potential for great acts of compassion as well as its propensity toward selfishness. Education was needed help the person fulfill her or his potential.

12. Resolution For a time these schools competed with one another for influence. Around 135 b.c.e. a scholar by the name of Tung Chung-shu at the beginning of the Han dynasty suggested that Confucianism would help unite the country and also suggested that Confucian schools be set-up for educating government officials. The emperor followed his advice.