The Twofold Connotation In Xunzi's Concept Of Heart

In the mode of"Ming-fen",a way of thinking,Xunzi give prominence to the thought of"the heaven creates it and man value it"by classifying the heart as"the heart of the heaven creating"and"the heart of man valuing". On one hand, as"the heart of the heaven creating"has no"Li"in it , it can't develop a man into a nobleman; on the other hand, as"the heart of man valuing"does have"Li"in it,it can make the right judge and the right choice when faced with desire, so as to perform mercy and form the characteristics of a nobleman and a saint. The process from"the heart of the heaven creating"to"the heart of man valuing"is called"change humanity by man-made"by Xunzi. The nature of the process is the"changing the thinking of the options"by the teaching of"Li", that is to transform the function of the heart in the core of the heart during the course of seeking the combining of the natural desire and the social value. Such a course shows Xunzi's theory of"changing the thinking of the options by Li". Therefore, Xunzi has a theory of"cultivating himself"of his own.