Xunzi (Xun Kuang) · Philosophy

Learning Never Ceases

Xunzi&rsquo;s <em>Encouragement of Learning</em>: the conviction that a human being is not fixed at birth but made by lifelong study and practice. Through steady accumulation, the right teacher, and immersion in good influences, the raw self is transformed - as dye drawn from the indigo plant comes out bluer than the plant. The gentleman is not born; he is made.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Xunzi&rsquo;s Encouragement of Learning holds that we are made, not born - that through ceaseless accumulation, the guidance of a teacher, and good environment the raw self is transformed (blue drawn from indigo comes out bluer than indigo), and the gentleman differs from others only in being &lsquo;g…

Leads to John Dewey.

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