Final answer:
Confucius believed that a person's character is determined by nurture through education and proper conduct. His philosophy emphasizes the significance of moral education, adherence to social norms and rituals, and the power of self-cultivation and sincerity in developing one's character.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confucius's Beliefs on Character Development
Confucius, also known as Kong Fuzi, was a philosopher whose teachings have deeply influenced East Asian thought and values. When considering whether Confucius believed in nature or nurture in determining a person's character, it is clear from his teachings that he leaned towards nurture. Confucius envisioned the ideal person, or junzi, as one who fulfills their potential through proper education and adherence to ritualistic propriety. He saw virtue and moral development as the products of education and effort, not innate qualities. This is evident in his emphasis on moral education, the role of societal norms and rituals, and his belief in the transformative power of self-cultivation and sincerity.
Confucianism stresses the importance of personal and governmental virtue, social relationships, justice, and sincerity. Mencius, a later Confucian thinker, built upon Confucius's ideas and argued that human beings are innately good, yet it is through nurturing this innate goodness that one's character is developed. Thus, while there may be an intrinsic predisposition towards virtue within people, according to Confucianism, it is the nurturing aspect—education and moral conduct—that truly shapes an individual's character.