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3 - The Challenge to Virtue and the Discovery of Human Nature

from Part I - Two Ancient Traditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2022

James Gordley
James Gordley
Affiliation:
Tulane University, Louisiana
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Summary

Another core idea in both traditions is that human nature is the source of the moral qualities necessary for a good life. To live rightly is to live a distinctively human life. A person is drawn to such a life and is able to recognize its goodness because he isa human being. If he lives wrongly he destroys his humanity and consequently himself. oneself. Confucius rarely mentioned human nature (性 xing),1 and Socrates did not do so in his early dialogs. This core idea was a response to those who criticized their teachings.

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The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and The West , pp. 30 - 44
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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