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Taming Human Nature: A Comparative Study of the Political Philosophies of Xunzi and Thomas Hobbes
Gu, Fengdeng ; Salamon, Janusz (advisor) ; Franěk, Jakub (referee)
Throughout history, many philosophers have considered the topic of human nature. Their exploration of this topic not only means that human beings'cognition has changed from exploring the natural world to reflecting on their own existence, but also that it provides new basis for our choice of political beliefs and doctrines. Almost all political systems are based on some human nature theories. Many of these theories involve a debate between good or evil aspect of our nature, which philosophers have focused on since ancient times. Xun Kuang (Xunzi) and Thomas Hobbes are two famous thinkers who argued that human nature is originally evil. Both of them hoped to create an effective social order, eliminate interpersonal tension, and rely on their own methods to achieve their political ideals. Xunzi believed that sage king's propriety could transform evil human nature, thereby ending chaotic political division and conflict, ultimately achieving unification and harmony. Hobbes believed that human beings are naturally selfish, brutal, and aggressive. In his book Leviathan where he believed that human peace and security can be truly realized only when a social contract is used among people to form a powerful state. My thesis will start with theories of human nature to compare Xunzi's and Hobbes' models for...
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