Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 462 - 238: Debate and Controversy, The Female Master is Moved_2

Chapter 462: Chapter 238: Debate and Controversy, The Female Master is Moved_2

Even after his death, Wanshou Mountains and Rivers did not reinstate his identity as a Saint in the Mingxue Pavilion.

As his disciple, Dugu Luoxue always affirmed her master’s views, yet she could not articulate any arguments to support this viewpoint and could only maintain silence on the topic, carving out her own path of asceticism.

However, everyone knew she was a disciple of Wen Shengxi.

Now, the youth was challenging her on this very topic, clearly striking at another of Dugu Luoxue’s weak points, forcing her to engage in the debate.

If she chose to flee, many would gossip and the situation would likely ferment severely.

Even the disciple does not support her own master’s philosophy, signifying the viewpoint as nothing but groundless conjecture.

After weighing the pros and cons, Dugu Luoxue had no choice but to abandon the idea of leaving.

"Fine, then Luoxue shall debate with the young master."

Dugu Luoxue clenched her fist to her lips and coughed lightly, secretly swallowing an Elixir with calming properties, doing her best to suppress her restless emotions.

In the past, others had used this to challenge her, but she had always managed to refute them successfully. Although she could not carry on her master’s viewpoints, she was not afraid of a debate.

Moreover, the other party was just a kid; she couldn’t believe that this youth would be as twisted as Jiang Mo.

She glanced at Jiang Shouzhong, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and she silently sighed.

She had brought this upon herself.

The first time because she underestimated Jiang Shouzhong, she was unprepared and left speechless by his verbal retorts, nearly destabilizing her Dao Heart.

In the end, it was only thanks to Li Guanshi that she was able to steady herself in time.

The second time, still underestimating her opponent, she chose to aggressively attempt to brainwash him through hypnosis.

As a result, her Dao Heart was now seriously damaged.

Twice she had underestimated him and twice she was defeated; the female master had her own unspeakable suffering.

"Alright, then I shall debate with Master Dugu."

The young man straightened up and said, "It is well-known that Master Dugu’s master, Wen Shengxi, held that human nature is inherently evil. So I will argue from the standpoint that ’human nature is inherently good.’"

"Your Confucian sub-sage once said that human nature is inherently good, and that everyone possesses a heart of compassion. And the Buddhist Sect says, when the mind is deluded, it is the true identity; when the mind is awake, it is the Buddha."

"It is precisely because human nature is essentially good that at any time and place, people have the potential to put down their butchers’ knives and instantly become Buddhas."

"Indeed, evil deeds do exist in the world, but these behaviors should be seen as influenced by external circumstances, a good nature that is veiled or distorted, and not the original cause of human nature."

"If one insists that evil is the cause and not the result, implying that human nature is inherently evil, then one cannot generate true morality in human society."

"For example, if you see an old lady fall down on the road, you instinctively help her up. Or if you see a child drowning, even if you can’t swim, you still cry out for help. Such unknown good deeds by ordinary people are numerous... "

As the young man articulated his argument, the onlookers, who had been expecting a joke, unconsciously turned solemn and showed surprise.

This youth certainly had some skills.

He opened his argument with the words of a Confucian sage, so if you, Dugu Luoxue, refute him, you would be disputing your own sage.

It was undoubtedly a trap.

If Dugu Luoxue refuted her own sage, she would damage not only the face of Wanshou Mountains and Rivers but also that of the entire Confucian ethos, inevitably sparking considerable controversy.

Dugu Luoxue’s eyes also showed surprise.

She patiently listened to the youth finish speaking, then after a moment of contemplation, she slowly began:

"The various good deeds you mentioned are the result of moral education through customs and etiquette, which are acquired, not innate. How can they prove the ’inherent’ nature?

Just in the time we have been discussing here, how many people have been killed by robbers, how many have suffered humiliation... If human nature truly is good, then where do these actions stem from?

Unrestricted instincts and desires are human nature, and desires often cultivate sin and transgression. So if you speak of inborn qualities, human nature is essentially evil."

"It is precisely because human nature is inherently evil that we require postnatal education – this is what our Confucian thought advocates: self-cultivation, moral governance, inner sageliness, and outward kingliness! It guides people towards goodness, cultivating the heart with knowledge, and regulating behavior with rites and laws.

"If human nature were truly inherently good, why would the sage of Confucianism tirelessly teach people? "

As Dugu Luoxue finished speaking, some of the people who had been persuaded by the youth suddenly had a realization, showing admiring expressions.

True to being Master Dugu, she was formidable indeed.

Not only did she avoid falling into the trap set by the other party, but she also justified her own viewpoint on the premise of affirming the Confucian sage.

The youth, eyes sparkling, smiled and said, "What is ’inherent’, and what is ’acquired’? I disagree with your view.

"I want to eat a watermelon, so I plant a watermelon seed; that seed is ’good.’ I need to fertilize it and water it; this is the process of education. It is because I had ’goodness’ at the start that I could educate.

"But if due to a heavy rain or drought, the watermelon went bad or grew misshapen, failing to produce good fruit, does that mean the seed was bad? No, the seed is always just that seed."

"Furthermore, Master Dugu, you said that evil in human nature can be educated into goodness, but if you don’t believe that there is goodness at the bottom of their hearts, how can you teach them? It’s like a bird can fly because it has wings; otherwise, no matter how you teach it, it won’t be able to fly..."