These fragments outline a rudimentary theory of political order modeled on the natural world
that recognizes the role of human self-interest in maintaining stable rule. Casting the natural …

This article examines the story of Shun's 舜ascension to the throne. This story has drawn
considerable attention throughout Chinese history because of its significance with regard to …

One of Han Fei's most trenchant criticisms against the early Confucian political tradition is
that, insofar as its decision-making process revolves around the ruler, rather than a codified …

Appeals to human nature in normative inquiry have fallen out of favor among contemporary
philosophers. There are a variety of reasons frequently cited by those who see appeals to …

This chapter argues that the Shenzi Fragments, Shangjunshu, and Han Feizi all contend
that, from the perspective of creating and maintaining political order, the most effective …

Chapter 15 of the Xunzi stands as the most comprehensive account of the early Confucian
analysis of warfare. Unlike a range of other early, non-Confucian discussions on warfare …

The book Xunzi 荀子" Master Xun", also called Sunqingzi 孫卿子or Xunqingzi 荀卿子, is a
philosophical book of the late Warring States period 戰國(5th cent-221 BCE). It belongs to …

This chapter examines a variety of discussions in Shenzi Fragments that might lead one to
think that there is some sort of morality undergirding its political philosophy including:(1) …

長久以來, 荀子思想都面對兩個互相關聯的批評: 一個是關於道德基礎的問題,
即荀子的性惡論無法解釋仁義道德的來源; 另一個是關於道德動機的問題 …

Within ancient Chinese philosophy, the Analects of Kongzi is one of the most widely studied
texts, having been read, re-read, and drawn upon for centuries. The text can offer worthwhile …