Xunzi (philosopher)

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

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Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/xunzi-philosopher

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Xunzi (philosopher) born?Circa 310 BCE
2. When did Xunzi (philosopher) die?Circa 235 BCE
3. Where was Xunzi (philosopher) born?State of Zhao, China
4. What is the key philosophical work?'Xunzi' (or 'Xunzi's Teachings')
5. Who was Xunzi?Xunzi was a smart thinker from ancient China who lived about 2,300 years ago. He taught that people can become good by learning and practicing.
6. Why did Xunzi say people are born selfish?Xunzi believed that people naturally want what they want and can sometimes do wrong things. He thought this makes life messy unless we learn to control ourselves.

Human Nature: The fundamental characteristics, dispositions, and behaviors inherent to human beings, often debated as innate or acquired.
Ritual (Li): A system of social customs, etiquette, ceremonies, and prescribed behaviors designed to foster order, respect, and moral development.
Self-Cultivation: The process of actively improving one's moral character, intellect, and behavior through conscious effort, learning, and practice.