This study will examine the Chinese philosophic stance that human beings are inherently good, and will compare that view with the view of North American people and the explanation of the latter with respect to good and evil in human nature. The study will consider the appearance of evil in an individual if that individual is inherently good.
It is too simplistic to say without equivocation that the Chinese philosophers or the North American people believe that man is inherently good or not inherently good. For example, the pre-eminent Chinese philosopher, Confucius, can hardly be said to believe simply that man is inherently good, but it is nevertheless safe to say, in general, that Confucius did have a positive view of human nature.
The North American view, generally rooted in European beliefs, holds that human nature is good, but that goodness will not occur or dominate without effort and guidance from both other human beings and from God.
In general, the Chinese view is that human beings need social guidance and traditions --- rooted in the family structure --- to exercise the goodness in themselves. The basic philosophic or religious view of the North American whose roots are in Europe is a Judeo-Christian view which sees man as inherently good, as long as man is united consciously with God. For example, as Hubbard writes in his study of Quakers, the human being's goodness is a matter of the presence of God within that individual. Clearly, the individual who does good acts is most desirable, but even the "bad" individual can be seen as "inherently good," insofar as God does dwell within that individual: "It was quoted at the first Meeting for Worship I attended, and convinced me that though I might be a bad Quaker, a humanist agnostic Quaker, I had found my spiritual home. It was: 'Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one'" (Hubbard, 1974, p. 11).
The North American view, based on Ju...