Mengzi (Mencius)

What is the Setting and Time Period of Mengzi?

• The Warring States of China (260 BCE)

• Qin Dynasty

• Ancient Romans

• Japan

What are the themes in this?

• Human Nature

• Government

• Moral Philosophy

• Political Ruling

• Social Harmony

What is the human nature in Mengzi?

• Is good

• Society should support virtue

• Virtue is not always in our control

• Consequentialism

What are the 4 sprouts and what is the ending result of each?

• Compassion -> Humaneness

• Respect -> Propriety (doing what's right in people's social roles)

• Shame -> Righteousness

• Ability to approve or disapprove -> Wisdom

What is the theme of the Government?

• Ruler's moral right to power, indicated by the satisfaction of the people

• Morally-minded ministers should depose an unruly ruler

• Moral virtue is accessible to all when given the right environment

• Practice of humanity leads to a sense of joy and personal fulfillment more effective than forced teachings

What is the theme of Moral Philosophy?

• Practice of Humanity leads to a sense of joy and personal fulfillment more effective than forced teachings

• Moral virtue is accessible to all when given the right environment

• Ruler's moral right to power is indicated by the satisfaction of the people

• Morally-minded ministers should epose an unworthy ruler

What is the theme of Political Ruling?

• Moral virtue is accessible to all when given the right environment

• State with righteousness and humane policies will flourish by nature

• Confucian ideas of benevolent politics

• Morally-minded ministers should depose an unworthy ruler

What is the theme of Social Harmony?

• Ruler's moral right to power is indicated by the satisfaction of the people

• Moral virtue is accessible to all when given the right environment

• Confucian ideas of benevolent politics

• State with righteousness and humane policies will flourish by nature

Who is Gaozi?

• Contemporary of Mengzi (Mencius)

• Student

• Father of Mengzi (Mencius)

• Traveler

Who is Mengzi (Mencius)?

• Chinese philosopher with Gaozi

• Father of Gaozi

• Traveler

• Student