英文摘要
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This thesis discusses Wang Chuan-shan's theory of human nature, and focuses on the connection between inherent goodness and acquired habits. Wang Chuan-shan considered ”disposition” as the noumenon, but he did not deny that ”moral philosophy” determines the resultant disposition. Therefore, this study will first examine Wang Chuan-shan's concept of human nature: that ”moral philosophy exists within disposition.” Due to the fact that nature and ”heart” are two sides of one coin, human nature is originally good but the heart can be (albeit not necessarily) bad. Second, human nature is a combination of ”natural disposition and character”, both of which vary from person to person. Consequently, while human nature varies among individuals, in many aspects, it is universally similar. Third, human nature is a combination of natural moral creativity and acquired habits. Even though people have an inherent natural goodness, they may acquire bad habits and develop a bad nature. Finally, contradictory arguments arose concerning Wang's theory that once established, habits were impervious to change; the philosophy that men were created 'good'; and the view that the nature of human beings could be changed. The thesis will also try to resolve these contradictions.
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