Mencius (Mengzi) – Mencius (Mengzi) – 孟子孟子

(399-295 (399-295 B.CB.C.).)

•

Innate Morality / Theory of Human NatureInnate Morality / Theory of Human Nature His His Moral Psychology – Moral Psychology – People are naturally inclined toward the good People are naturally inclined toward the good Humans by nature have four “incipient Humans by nature have four “incipient tendencies”tendencies”

• The heart-mind of compassion The heart-mind of compassion 惻隱之心惻隱之心 the root of human-heartedness the root of human-heartedness 仁之端仁之端• The heart-mind of shame and aversion The heart-mind of shame and aversion 羞惡之心羞惡之心 the root of appropriateness the root of appropriateness 義之端義之端• The heart-mind of apologizing and yieldingThe heart-mind of apologizing and yielding 辭讓之心辭讓之心 the root of ritual propriety the root of ritual propriety 禮之端禮之端• The heart-mind of pro and con attitudesThe heart-mind of pro and con attitudes 是非之心是非之心 the root of wisdom the root of wisdom 智之端智之端

Evidence/arguments. (2A6, p.65, and 6A10, p.57)Evidence/arguments. (2A6, p.65, and 6A10, p.57)

Heaven and nature – Sincerity is the way of Heaven and nature – Sincerity is the way of Heaven, and to think how to be sincere is the way Heaven, and to think how to be sincere is the way of man. (4A12, p. 74)of man. (4A12, p. 74)

Fish and bear’s paw. (6A10, p.57)Fish and bear’s paw. (6A10, p.57)

How come there is evil? (6A7,8 p.55,56)How come there is evil? (6A7,8 p.55,56)

Alternative TheoriesAlternative Theories

• • Hsün Tzu Hsün Tzu 荀子 荀子 Human nature is evilHuman nature is evil

• • Kao Tzu Kao Tzu 告子 告子 Human nature is neither good nor Human nature is neither good nor evilevil

Problems of the theory

1. We have other tendencies. Why say that these four tendencies are human nature?

2. Is the description true? How about sociopath?

3. “Those who are devoid of the four hearts are not human” (2A6) Description turned into stipulation. Not falsifiable any more.

Analysis

Descriptive level – “true” or “false”. Do humans really have these four incipient tendencies? Semantic level – Understanding of “Human Nature” – “common” or

“unusual”, “clear” or “confused”

• Mencius – “human nature” means whatever that is unique to human • Hsün Tzu – “Human nature” means what cannot be learned and cannot be

acquired by effort (p.129) • Kao Tzu – “human nature” means whatever we are born with (p.52, 6A3) Is the debate just a matter of definition?

Value recognition level – “good” or “bad”, “right” or “wrong” (7B24) “men have the Four Hearts just as they have their four limbs”

Faith commitment level – firm or not firm No one is devoid of the four hearts. • Those who have no four hearts are not human • those who apparently have no four hearts actually still have them deep

inside. Example of sociopath

Gongfu (Kongfu) 功夫 method level – effective or ineffective

It is due to our nature that our mouths It is due to our nature that our mouths desire sweet taste, that our eyes desire desire sweet taste, that our eyes desire beautiful colors, that our ears desire beautiful colors, that our ears desire pleasant sounds, …. But there is also fate pleasant sounds, …. But there is also fate ((mingming 命命 ) [whether these desires are ) [whether these desires are satisfied or not]. The superior man does satisfied or not]. The superior man does not say they are man’s nature [and insist not say they are man’s nature [and insist on satisfying them]. The virtue of humanity on satisfying them]. The virtue of humanity in the relationship between father and son, in the relationship between father and son, the virtue of righteousness in the the virtue of righteousness in the relationship between ruler and minister, …relationship between ruler and minister, …— these are [endowed in people in various — these are [endowed in people in various degrees] according to fate. But there is degrees] according to fate. But there is also man’s nature. The superior man does also man’s nature. The superior man does not [refrain from practicing them and] say not [refrain from practicing them and] say they are matters of fate. (7B/24, p.81)they are matters of fate. (7B/24, p.81)

Daily One-minute PaperDaily One-minute Paper

1. What is the big point you learned in 1. What is the big point you learned in class today?class today?

2. What is the main, unanswered 2. What is the main, unanswered question you leave class with today?question you leave class with today?