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Mencius on Human Nature

Mencius on Human Nature. Berger Intro to Asian Religions. Mencius’ Historical Background. Mencius = Meng Tzu 孟子 (372-289 BCE) From a neighboring state to Confucius’ birthplace, and according to legend, pupil of Confucius’ grandson

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Mencius on Human Nature

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  1. Mencius on Human Nature Berger Intro to Asian Religions

  2. Mencius’ Historical Background • Mencius = Meng Tzu 孟子 (372-289 BCE) • From a neighboring state to Confucius’ birthplace, and according to legend, pupil of Confucius’ grandson • Traveled through eastern Chinese states for forty years, seeking office and patronage of views • Court minister in state of Ch’i, 319-312, taking three years’ leave to mourn mother’s death • Lack of influence led to retirement from public life • Teachings become classic of Confucian exam curriculum

  3. Arguments Against Neutrality of Human Nature / Relativity of Morals • Examples of the cups, bowls and water (477-78) • Argument meant to show that supposedly neutral phenomena still have natural tendencies (性 xing), just like human nature. (人性 ren xing) • The issue of benevolence (仁ren) and propriety being internal (pp. 478-479) • Argument meant to show that both respect and the ability to tell who to respect come from inside and not outside a person (nature over culture)

  4. Arguments about Inborn Moral Feelings • Example of the Trees on Ox Mountain (p. 480) • The Relative Importance of the Heart (心 xin) and its spontaneous preference for good (p. 481) • The Example of the Child in the Well (p. 481) • Argument based on spontaneous feeling (情 qing) • The Four Sprouts of Feeling: compassion, shame, propriety and distinguishing right from wrong

  5. for Next Class • Sourcebook 492-500

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