Hsun Tzu - Summary Finance PDF

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Hsun Tzu "Encouraging Learning" Background;

-Hsun Tzu (310-220 B.C.) was one of the three great architects of Confucian philosophy. -Philosophical views went against popular ideas at the time, which caused him to be out of favor in intellectual circles. -Believed Heaven had a much smaller role as a bastion of order and morality than most other thinkers. -Although his views were considered to be unorthodox and unpopular, his works were still very influential in China and remains a source of influence today. "Encouraging Learning" -Observes the three stages of learning: 1) The Scholar- one who is a prepared student. 2) The Gentleman- one who is still deep in learning. 3) The Sage- one who has followed the right path and continues to follow it. -Emphasized that one should always strive to be the Sage. -Cited education as a means of becoming a complete, well-rounded individual capable of making moral decisions. -Must always be learning in order to accumulate knowledge, goodness, and understanding. The only time learning stops is when death occurs. -If education is stopped prematurely, then the individual is depriving themselves of developing more understanding and virtue. -The Gentleman has to earn virtue within oneself over time. Thus, it becomes the everlasting backbone of ones' character, which is a benefit in itself. - Suggested that one should not surround themselves with gross or vulgar people because their influence may taint their path of learning.

Hsun Tzu's Rhetoric Three stages of learning: The Scholar: "The man of Breading" which simply means the prepared student. The Gentleman: Deep in leaning The Sage: The man who has found the right path, thought the right thoughts, and learned the right lessons. Confusion Doctrines Vs. Hsun Tzu Confucian Doctrines and teachers were optimistic because they assumed people are born with a moral character. This moral character will lead them to a virtuous life. His views on eduacation Hsun Tzu recommends that we follow educational ritual and accrue learning and wisdom. "Do good and see if it does not pile up" Education Hsun Tzu believed that education is the only way to achieve wisdom and true happiness. He insist on a lifetime of learning "To pursue it is to be a man, to give it up is to become a beast" Underlying Assumption -Unlike some of his peers he believed that human nature was evil; without morals, rather than good. This is similar to Christianity's concept of original sin. This idea is prevalent in this work. -Humans that followed one's "natural instincts" would lead an unhappy life because people are inherently selfish by nature. -He believed that by following the Way (the Tao), otherwise known as the pursuit of knowledge, will lead to a path of understanding and peace.

Man's Nature is Evil - Hsun Tzu Both Mencius and Hsun Tzu were Confucians, however.... Hsun Tzu beliefs opposed Mencius'. Mencius believed man's nature was good, but Hsun Tzu believed man's nature was evil. --According to Hsun Tzu... Goodness is the result of conscious activity.The nature of man is fond of profit and if one indulges this fondness, it will lead him into wrangling and strife. --To become a good person... One must follow ritual principles and be taught the Way.Heed instructions of their teachers. --Man's Desire Man's fondness of all things beautiful both in sound and sight, taste for all things delicious, mind for profit and pleasure and ease of the body are all products of the emotional nature of man. Those that do not come instinctively initiates conscious activity. --If the nature of Man were good... There would be no need for rulers and sages or ritual principles. But Man's nature does not allow for such luxury.

Fallacies (Fallacy definition: 1. an idea that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false: 2. a false belief)

- While pursuing education for the sake of knowledge is a valid quest for some, the modern economic setting where job opportunities are limited causes money to be a primary motivation for people today. - The text states that there is only one way to earn virtue. Hsun Tzu doesn't consider the fact that virtue can also be built by surrounding oneself with an academic education and life experiences that pertain to both the good and the bad forces of the world, finding the balance between the two. -Many of us have learned more about virtuous character from scenarios, people, and lifestyles deemed impure than can be taught from any text or teacher. -He emphasizes that we get our education from what has been taught before, rather than forming new experiences from our surroundings.-He saw personal thought as a waste of

time due to our own "immoral" nature as human beings. -Only imagined the prospect of education for men only....