Editing Xunzi (philosopher) (section)

{{Short description|Chinese Confucian philosopher (c. 310 – after 238 BCE)}}
{{About|the Chinese philosopher|his eponymous text|Xunzi (book)}}
{{Other uses|Xunzi (disambiguation){{!}}Xunzi}}
{{Infobox philosopher
| name             = Xunzi
| image            = Portrait of Xun Zi.jpg
| caption          = Imaginary portrait of Xunzi, [[Qing dynasty]] (1636–1912), [[Palace Museum]]
| birth_date       = {{circa|310&nbsp;BCE}}
| birth_place      = [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]], [[Zhou dynasty]] (present-day [[Shanxi]])
| death_date       = After {{circa|238&nbsp;BCE}}
| death_place      = [[Chu (state)|Chu]], Zhou dynasty
| era              = [[Hundred Schools of Thought]]
| region           = [[Chinese philosophy]]
| school_tradition = [[Confucianism]]
| notable_students = [[Han Fei]], [[Li Si]]
| main_interests   = [[Ritual]] {{(--}}''[[Li (Confucianism)|li]]''{{--)}}, [[human nature]], [[education]], [[music]], [[heaven]], [[Tao]], [[rectification of names]]
|module =  {{infobox Chinese|showflag=p|child=yes
| c = 荀況
| p = Xún Kuàng
| w = {{tonesup|Hsün2 K'uang4}}
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|x|ün|2|-|k|uang|4}}
| j = Seon4 Fong3
| y = Sèuhn Fong
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|s|eon|4|-|f|ong|3}}
| tl = Sûn Hóng
| mc = Zwin Xüàng
| oc-bs = *s-N-qʷin [m̥]ang-s
| t2 = 荀子
| s2 = 荀子
| p2 = Xúnzǐ
| w2 = {{tonesup|Hsün2 Tzu3}}
}}}}

'''Xunzi''' (荀子, ''Xúnzǐ'', {{lit|Master Xun}}; {{circa|310|after 238&nbsp;BCE}}), born '''Xun Kuang''', was a [[Chinese philosopher]] of [[Confucianism]] during the late [[Warring States period]]. After his predecessors [[Confucius]] and [[Mencius]], Xunzi is often ranked as the third great Confucian philosopher of antiquity. By his time, Confucianism had suffered considerable criticism from [[Taoist]] and [[Mohism|Mohist]] thinkers, and Xunzi is traditionally regarded as a synthesizer of these traditions with earlier Confucian thought. The result was a thorough and cohesive revision of Confucianism, which was crucial to the philosophy's ability to flourish in the [[Han dynasty]] and throughout the later history of East Asia.{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 1}} His works were compiled in the eponymous ''[[Xunzi (book)|Xunzi]]'', and survive in excellent condition. Unlike other ancient compilations, his authorship of these texts is generally secure, though it is likely that [[Western Han dynasty]] historian [[Liu Xiang (scholar)|Liu Xiang]] organized them into their present form centuries after Xunzi's death.{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§1 "Xunzi and ''Xunzi''"}}

Born in the [[Zhao (state)|state of Zhao]], Xunzi studied at the prestigious [[Jixia Academy]], where he learned about every major philosophical tradition of his time. After his graduation, Xunzi traveled to Chu where he mastered poetry, and then returned to Qi as a highly regarded teacher at the academy. His students [[Han Fei]] and [[Li Si]] each had important political and academic careers, though some of their [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalist]] sentiments were at odds with his philosophy. Other students such as {{ill|浮丘伯|zh|lt=Fuqiu Bo}}, [[Zhang Cang]] and {{ill|毛亨|zh|lt=Mao Heng}} authored important editions and commentaries on the Confucian classics.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xii}} Later in his life, Xunzi served in the court of [[Lord Chunshen]] and died sometime after Lord Chunshen's death. The constant warfare of his time informed his work profoundly, as did his interactions with leaders and witnessing the downfall of various states.

Xunzi's writings respond to dozens of other thinkers, whom he often directly names and criticizes. His well-known notion that "Human nature is evil" has led many commentators to place him opposite of Mencius, who believed human nature was intrinsically good. Though like Mencius, Xunzi believed that education and ritual were the key to self-cultivation and thus the method to circumvent one's naturally foul nature.{{sfn|Cheng|2016|loc=§ "Confucius and Disciples"}} His definition of both concepts was loose, and he encouraged lifelong education and applied ritual to every aspect of life. Other important topics include the promotion of [[music]] and the [[Rectification of names|careful application of names]]. Though he still cited the ancient sages, he differed from other Confucian philosophers by his insistence on emulating recent rulers rather than those of long ago.{{sfn|Cheng|2016|loc=§ "Confucius and Disciples"}}

Repeated oversimplifications and misunderstandings on Xunzi's teachings, particularly his view on human nature, led to gradual dismissal and condemnation of his thought from the [[Tang dynasty]] onwards. By the rise of [[Neo-Confucianism]] in the 10th century, Mencius gradually upended Xunzi, particularly by the choice to include the ''[[Mencius (book)|Mencius]]'' in the [[Four Books]].{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 13}} Since the 20th century, a reevaluation of Xunzi's doctrine has taken place in East Asia, leading to recognition of his profound impact and relevance to both his times and present day.{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§9 "Xunzi’s Reception after His Death"}}