Xunzi, as one of the representatives of Confucianism at the end of the Warring States Period, put forward the theory of "sexual evil", believing that human nature is evil and needs to be taught with etiquette and righteousness. Wang Chong is a famous materialist thinker in the Eastern Han Dynasty, he advocates "sex has good and evil" in the theory of human nature, and believes that human nature is neither completely good nor completely **, but constantly changing between good and evil.
1. Understanding of human nature.
Xunzi believes that human nature is inherently evil, and that people are born with desire and greed, and if they are not restricted and educated, they will lead to social chaos and moral degradation. He believed that evil in human nature is innate, determined by human physiology and natural instincts. Therefore, he advocated the use of etiquette to educate people, so that people can self-discipline and regulate behavior.
Wang Chong is an atheist and the author of 85 articles of "On Balance". He believes that there is good and evil in human nature, and it is neither completely good nor completely **. He believes that there are both innate genetic factors in human nature, as well as acquired environmental and educational factors. Good and evil in human nature are interdependent and mutually restrictive, and only under a specific environment and education will they show different natures.
2. Views on moral education.
Since Xunzi believed that human nature was inherently evil, he attached great importance to the role of moral education. He believes that etiquette and righteousness are the foundation of education, and only through the education of etiquette and righteousness can people get rid of the shackles of desire and greed and become moral people. At the same time, Xunzi also emphasized the importance of family education, believing that family is the first classroom of moral education.
Wang Chong believes that the purpose of moral education is to enable people to improve themselves and realize their own values. He believes that the focus of moral education is not to change human nature itself, but to guide people to goodness, give full play to the advantages of human nature, and overcome the shortcomings of human nature. Therefore, he advocated improving the moral level through practice and self-cultivation.
3. Views on social order.
Xunzi believes that human nature is inherently evil and needs to be educated through etiquette and righteousness. Therefore, he attached great importance to the stability and harmony of the social order. He believed that only by restricting people's behavior through strict systems and regulations could social stability and order be maintained. At the same time, he also emphasized the authority and leadership role of the monarch, believing that the monarch should lead by example and promote etiquette and righteousness in order to maintain social harmony and stability.
Wang Chong believes that social stability and order are based on people's self-restraint and mutual trust. He believed that the purpose of moral education is to cultivate people's sense of public morality and responsibility, so that people can consciously safeguard the interests and order of society. At the same time, he also emphasized the role of the rule of law, believing that the law is an important means to maintain social order.
Fourth, the view of personal cultivation.
Xunzi believes that personal cultivation is very important. He believes that only through continuous study and practice can he improve his self-cultivation. At the same time, he also emphasized the role of self-reflection, believing that only through self-reflection can we discover our shortcomings and improve them. Therefore, he advocated that people should always maintain a humble and humble attitude.
Wang Chong believes that the goal of personal cultivation is to realize one's own values and ideals. He believes that people should explore their own potential and ability through continuous learning and practice, so as to realize their own values and ideals. At the same time, he also emphasized the role of self-confidence and courage, believing that only self-confidence and courage can help people overcome difficulties and challenge themselves.
To sum up, the difference between Xunzi's "sexual evil" and Wang Chong's "sexual good and evil" is mainly manifested in the understanding of human nature, the view of moral education, the view of social order, and the view of personal cultivation. Although the views of the two are different, they both emphasize the importance of human self-restraint and normative behavior, believing that this is the basis for realizing personal values and promoting social harmony and stability.