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Cultivation (jiaohua, 教化): The goal of Xunzi’s ethical thought

  • Research Article
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Frontiers of Philosophy in China

Abstract

Xunzi carried on the noble ambitions of “Zhou Kong Jiaohua 周孔教化” and systematically demonstrated the necessity of cultivation and how to realize it. Starting from the belief that human nature is evil, he argues that cultivation was necessary and its teachings must penetrate the mind. The key of cultivation is to cultivate man’s feelings, encourage man to behave properly, and attempt to mold his nature through Ritual cultivation, Musical cultivation, and the Five Classics. The main point of Xunzi’s ethical thought is cultivation. As far as cultivation theory is concerned, Xunzi’s is the most logical and systematic of the famous Pre-Qin thinkers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, School of Humanities, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330047, China

    Zhan Shiyou

Authors
  1. Zhan Shiyou
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Correspondence to Zhan Shiyou.

Additional information

Translated by Peng Chuanhua from Nanchang Daxue Xuebao 南昌大学学报 (Journal of Nanchang University), 2005, (2): 1–8

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Cite this article

Zhan, S. Cultivation (jiaohua, 教化): The goal of Xunzi’s ethical thought. Front. Philos. China 2, 25–49 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-007-0002-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-007-0002-6

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