Xunzi, << shyoon dzuh >> (340?-245? B.C.), also spelled Hsun Tzu, was an influential Chinese philosopher best known for his belief that human nature is basically evil. He considered himself a follower of the philosophy of Confucianism. However, his view of human nature differed from that of most Confucianists.
According to Xunzi, the evil tendencies of human beings can be controlled only through education and moral guidance. He believed that people can be taught to perform good deeds and obey the moral laws of their society. Xunzi emphasized the importance of cultural traditions and their role in maintaining social order. His ideas are presented in the book Xunzi (or Hsun-tzu), most of which he wrote himself.
Xunzi was born in the state of Zhao, in what is now Shanxi Province. Nothing is known of his early life. From about 278 to 265 B.C., he was the most honored philosopher in the state of Qi, which had an academy of scholars. He held government posts in Qi and several other states.
