순자의 ‘악(惡)’ 개념과 악인(惡人)에 관한 연구

Abstract

This study investigated the concept of evil and evil person based on Xunzi(荀子)'s theory of Human Nature. Since the concept of evil was discussed in terms of theory of Human Nature, it should be based on a discussion of nature. In this study, I divided the category of the concept of Human Nature(性) into the innate nature that is contrasted with acquired behavior and nature(性)-emotions(情)-desire(欲) that is a concrete description and three modes of the innate nature. Through this distinction, I inferred that in order to emphasize the contrast between an innate evil and an acquired good, Xunzi argued that human nature is evil based on the innate nature and acquired behavior. According Xunzi, it is inevitable to pursue desire but it is possible to control desire. Controversy, strife, and confusion arise depending on the degree of control of desire, which Xunzi regarded as ‘evil’. The concept of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ of Xunzi is based on ‘society(群)’. Evil is born in the gap between the principle of social organization that desire should be controlled and the principle of individual life pursuing desires. Based on these discussions, we can think the evil person who commits evil. Since the evil that is discussed in terms of human nature has the meaning of universality, a evil person is an ‘ordinary villain’ in the sense that he follows natural nature without artificial behavior. However, Xunzi explained that the reason why he does not want to become a good man is because of his ‘Abjection’. An abject villain is a man who does not want to be good, but he stays in the evil man.