Xun Kuang Book order

Master Xun, an influential Confucian philosopher from the Warring States period, offered a darker, pragmatic view of human nature. Contrasting with the optimistic belief in innate goodness, Xunzi posited that inherent tendencies were evil, and ethical norms were invented to rectify mankind. Despite this, he emphasized that humans could be refined through education and ritual. His ideas profoundly shaped the official state doctrine of the Han Dynasty and informed key figures in later Legalism.