Confucianism focuses on the quest for perfection of ones moral character. Two primary Confucianists were Mencius and Hsun Tzu. While they were both Confucians, these two Confucianists held opposing views about human nature. Because Mencius and Hsun Tzu differ on their perception of human nature, their conceptions can alter a person's comprehension of a problem.
             Mencius believed that human nature is good. Every person is born with instilled virtues. If a person is not virtuous, then he has been corrupted by his environment. Mencius's makes emphases on four main virtues. These virtues are righteousness, ritual property, benevolence, and wisdom. Although these virtues are instilled in a human being from his or her birth, they must be nurtured and put into effect in order to become fully developed. People are made good with good intentions, and must work to maintain their good nature.
             Hsun Tzu believed human nature is bad. No one is born with any of their principles already instilled in their nature. Therefore, they must be taught and cultivated in ethics. Throughout Hsun Tzu's basic writings he gives key subjects people should learn and use that knowledge to apply the subjects to their lives. These points include encouraging learning, heaven, rites, dispelling of obsession, rectifying names, and improving yourself. These subjects combine together to portray a message. This message is that, there is always something one should be improving, whether it is their knowledge or their moral character. This is because mans nature is evil, and therefore, so that a person does not stay evil, the person always needs to work towards perfection in character.
             A contemporary issue America is facing today is whether or not to go to war with Iraq. Many different people have opposing views on this subject. One group, who would be Hsun Tzu followers, would like to destroy the evil that could plague the United States wi
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