性善

xìngshàn

noun

Meanings

1 the doctrine that human nature is inherently good (Mencius)

Characters

nature, disposition

Examples

孟子主张性善，荀子主张性恶。

Mèngzǐ zhǔzhāng xìngshàn, Xúnzǐ zhǔzhāng xìng'è.

Mencius argued human nature is good; Xunzi argued it is evil.

性善论是儒家的重要思想。

Xìngshàn lùn shì Rújiā de zhòngyào sīxiǎng.

The theory of innate goodness is a key Confucian idea.

Tips

history

Mencius illustrated 性善 with the thought experiment that anyone seeing a child about to fall into a well would instinctively reach out — proving an innate 恻隐之心 (compassion). Xunzi's counter-doctrine 性恶 claimed goodness comes only through ritual cultivation.

Stroke Order

性 xìng

善 shàn