The Mechanism of Evil in Xunzi’s Theory of Xing E 性惡

This paper elucidates the cause of evil and its solutions by clarifying the mechanism of evil seen in Xunzi’s theory of xing e 性惡 (humanl nature is evil). Firstly, human nature is not the essence of an isolated subject, but rather the ability to ceaselessly interact with others in the external world. Human nature elicits emotions and desires by perceiving (gan 感) external objects through sensory organs and responding to them. In Xunzi’s philosophy, human nature is not innate morality, but the very interaction with external objects. Secondly, evil is the violence against others that occurs in the process of satisfying the desires of the desire-driven self. Human nature creates desires through its interaction with external objects and seeks to satisfy them. In the process of satisfying these desires, the desires infinitely amplify, transforming the self into a desire-driven self. The desire-driven self exerts violence against others to acquire limited goods. Thirdly, the desire-driven self separates itself from desires due to shame caused by the gaze of others and move towards the path of goodness. The self, separated from its desires, embarks on the path of artificial learning to redeem the damaged image of itself caused by shame. When the self realizes its desires through propriety (li 禮), the self can coexist with others by maintaining a distance from its desires.