HSUN

Hsun, also spelled Xunzi or Hsün Tzu, is the traditional English rendering of Xun Kuang, a Chinese Confucian philosopher who lived circa 313–238 BCE during the late Warring States period. He is regarded as a major figure in classical Confucian thought. Traditionally placed as having been born in the state of Zhao, Xunzi became a prominent teacher and authored a substantial body of work known as the Xunzi, a collection of essays on human nature, ritual, governance, and moral cultivation.

Key ideas associated with Xunzi include the claim that human nature (xing) is inherently inclined toward self-interest and disorder, and that virtue must be cultivated rather than arise spontaneously. He argued that education, disciplined ritual (li), and correct social institutions shape desires and promote social harmony. Ritual, music, and proper authority are seen as essential tools for transforming people and maintaining order. For Xunzi, moral leadership and effective governance rely on deliberate cultivation of virtue and the establishment of clear norms.

Influence and legacy: Xunzi is a central figure in Confucianism, presenting a counterpoint to Mencius’s view that human nature is inherently good. His writings influenced later Confucian and Neo-Confucian thought and contributed to ongoing debates about human nature, ritual, and statecraft. The name Hsun is predominantly found in older English-language sources; modern scholarship typically uses Xunzi or Xun Kuang.