Xun Zi's Viewpoints on Destiny and Mankind v.s the Derivatives of Confucianism during Pre-Qin Period

The relations between destiny and mankind was an important issue argued in Pre-Qin Period.Although Confucius,Mencius and Xun Zi belong to the same school,they had different viewpoints on the argument,which show how the philosophy in China has developed.Confucius proposed that destiny was naturally existed.As controlled mankind,the latter should be obedient;while Mencius arguedman can finally know what destiny isand serve it byfulfilling one's obligations with heart and soul andunderstanding the nature of mankind.Mencius' ideas had led the philosophy into a stage of idealism.Xun Zi,who absorbed the views in Lao Zi and Guan Zi,believed man could compete with destiny and finally defeated it.His thoughts had overcome Confucius' and Mencius' drawbacks,and meanwhile consolidated the rational spirit of Confucianism.He forwarded the argument to a new stage of native materialism.