性せい善ぜん

noun

intrinsic goodness; innate goodness

Refers to the philosophical idea that human nature is fundamentally good, often contrasted with 性悪 (せいあく, innate evil). The reading しょうぜん is specifically used in Buddhist contexts.

• 孟もう子しは性せい善ぜん説せつを唱となえた。

  Mencius advocated the theory of innate goodness.

• 性せい善ぜんと性せい悪あくの議ぎ論ろんは古ふるくからある。

  The debate between innate goodness and innate evil has existed since ancient times.