Xunzi
China, third century BCE
He assigned ritual education and deliberate effort a decisive role in ethical formation.
Historical context
Xunzi wrote near the end of the Warring States period. His work explains why learning, ritual, and deliberate action matter for shared life.
Overview
If desires are expressed without shared conventions, disputes can arise. Ritual practices organise their expression and form habits that support coexistence.
Main claims
Ethical development requires deliberate learning and transmitted collective practices.
Debates and nuances
His use of human nature differs from Mencius’s and requires attention to their definitions.
This entry provides educational context.