The Ethical Connotation On XunZi’s Doctrine Of Xin

This paper is trying to discuss the ethical connotation on XunZi’s doctrine of Mind. It is mainly constituted by four chapters. Chapter I analyze the multiple meaning of Mind at first. In XunZi’s thought, Mind has totally six meanings, which are heart organ、spirit、reason emotion will and desire. Chapter II mainly discuss the ethical status of Mind in XunZi’s moral philosophy. By analyzing the implication of "human nature " and the theory of original evil of human nature, we have the conclusion the it is possible to be a good person, because everybody has reason which can enable him to perceive moral rule. ChapterⅢ and Chapter Ⅳare attending to discuss the ethical status of Mind in detail. Firstly, from the aspect of moral cognition, the significance of Mind is to perceive moral rule, which can internalize moral rule into one’s own mental consciousness, this process means the arise of moral personality. Through the way of study, social moral rule gradually internalized into one’s mental consciousness. XunZi also realized that there are lots of subjectively and objectively factors which will block one to perceive moral rule, so he put forward a special cultivation method aim to guarantee cognitive process. According to the degree of cognition, human beings were divided into three parts, which are scholar、 gentleman and saint. Secondly, from the aspect of moral practice. One cannot be a moral good person only because of he had perceived moral rule, form moral cognition to moral practice,the power of will must be valued. XunZi realized the free character of will, to use the power of free will, XunZi also put forward a unique way which attempted to make sure free will stick to moral principle. It is only when free will stick to moral principle moral behavior can be possible.