My dark thought 1: Is human born kind-hearted or wicked? HUMAN IS EVIL😂😈

Understanding human nature is essential for everyone, as it helps us recognize the boundaries we must respect when interacting with others and guides us in achieving the best possible outcomes in society.

When discussing human nature, two Chinese philosophers from Confucianism (儒家) often come to mind: Mencius (孟子), who believes that humans are inherently kind-hearted, and Xunzi (荀子), who asserts that humans are born with a predisposition toward wickedness.

At first glance, their views seem to be in stark opposition, but in reality, they arrive at the same conclusion. The difference lies in their focus: Mencius examines the essence of human nature, while Xunzi focuses on the animalistic aspects. Mencius does not consider human desire as part of his analysis. Despite their differing approaches, both philosophers agree that learning rituals and social norms is crucial to achieving harmony in society. Therefore, it can be argued that their theories are not truly contradictory, but rather complementary, as they address different aspects of human nature.

I'd like to delve deeper into Xunzi’s theory. He famously stated, 「人之性惡，其善者偽也。」, which translates to "The nature of man is evil; his goodness is only acquired through conscious effort." Xunzi believed that human nature is inherently lustful, and that we behave well only because we learn to do so after birth. And I AGREE WITH THIS! 🤓

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs supports this idea. Physiological needs, the biological requirements for human survival, form the foundation of our existence and are the most critical element in life. Once our basic needs are met, we can move on to higher levels of fulfillment, eventually reaching self-actualization. As infants, we cried to get attention and food because we needed it; there was no moral consideration, just raw human desire. This aligns with Xunzi’s view. In contrast, Mencius’ examples in his theory are more applicable from level 3 of Maslow’s hierarchy—love and belonging—where order and social consciousness lead us to be kind to each other to survive in society.

Mencius argues that the essence of humanity is good, and that those who do wrong simply fail to fully express their inherent goodness. However, humans are driven by unlimited desires; we strive to fulfill our needs, often placing ourselves above others. Observing the political situations around the globe, it's clear that people prioritize their own gain and power over the well-being of others, resulting in harm and conflict. The prevalence of mean comments and cyberbullying online further challenges Mencius’ belief in the inherent goodness of people.

I do agree that when people are conscious of their actions, they are more likely to generate positive outcomes. However, this only occurs when their basic needs—levels 1 and 2 in Maslow’s hierarchy—are fully satisfied, indicating that we are indeed born with a wicked nature.

This perspective may seem dark, as it is realistic and somewhat harsh, but it reflects the truth of life. In our modern world, where most of our basic needs are met, we have the opportunity to strive towards self-actualization and contribute positively to society. This understanding has guided me to where I am today. Even when people do bad things, we must hold onto the hope that they can improve, or at the very least, use their actions as a reminder of what not to become. We must maintain balance within ourselves, staying true to our values and beliefs, even when the world around us is in chaos.

I love you all and wish you the best.