Human Nature Is Evil By Xunzi
“Human
nature
is
evil;
its
goodness
derives
from
conscious
activity.
Now
it
is
human
nature
to
be
born
with
a
fondness
for
profit.
Indulging
this
leads
to
contention
and
strife,
and
the
sense
of
modesty
and
yielding
with
which
one
was
born
disappears.” (Human Nature Is Evil, 1) Xunzi, a Chinese teacher, scholar, and official born in the very end of the Zhou dynasty, was a man who followed the teachings of Confucius. He believed that all humans are derived from evil, as virtuality is only created when people actively attempt to be righteous. It is concluded that without guidance, humans cannot be virtuous. Although people appear to be good, human nature is inherently derived from evil. No matter how
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In the beginning of the book, Jack tells his hunters that he hasn’t been successful in catching and killing a pig because he needed camouflage. He creates a mask and abandons the fire, the boys’ only hope of getting rescued off the island and back to civilization. “[Jack] spilt the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling... the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness,” ()The author purposely included the words “liberated” and “bloodthirsty” to draw attention to how much the mask is relieving Jack of his person that was morally right. When he became the tribe leader, all of the boys wore masks as well as they carried out horrible, vile actions, such as creating ‘the Lord of the Flies’, hunting Ralph, and killing Simon and Piggy. Because of the mask, they felt no remorse. Furthermore, Jack had drawn the mask on himself. He is giving himself validation to be that savage that has always been inside him. Although some might say that some savages did not don masks such as Sam and Eric, the mask is only a source of attestation to what humans fundamentally want. Despite not sporting masks, Sam and Eric still choose the evil within when they join Jack’s
In the beginning of the book, Jack tells his hunters that he hasn’t been successful in catching and killing a pig because he needed camouflage. He creates a mask and abandons the fire, the boys’ only hope of getting rescued off the island and back to civilization. “[Jack] spilt the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling... the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness,” ()The author purposely included the words “liberated” and “bloodthirsty” to draw attention to how much the mask is relieving Jack of his person that was morally right. When he became the tribe leader, all of the boys wore masks as well as they carried out horrible, vile actions, such as creating ‘the Lord of the Flies’, hunting Ralph, and killing Simon and Piggy. Because of the mask, they felt no remorse. Furthermore, Jack had drawn the mask on himself. He is giving himself validation to be that savage that has always been inside him. Although some might say that some savages did not don masks such as Sam and Eric, the mask is only a source of attestation to what humans fundamentally want. Despite not sporting masks, Sam and Eric still choose the evil within when they join Jack’s