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Mencius and Hsün-tzu

Mencius and Hsün-tzu. Interpretations of Confucius How is jen to be cultivated?. Is human nature basically good or evil? What does that mean for the cultivation of jen?. Mencius 371-289 BCE. Hs ün-tzu 310-220 BCE. Analects 6.22.

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Mencius and Hsün-tzu

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  1. Mencius and Hsün-tzu Interpretations of Confucius How is jen to be cultivated?

  2. Is human nature basically good or evil?What does that mean for the cultivation of jen? Mencius 371-289 BCE Hsün-tzu 310-220 BCE

  3. Analects 6.22 • “One who is Good sees as his first priority the hardship of self-cultivation, and only after thinks about results or rewards. Yes, this is what we might call Goodness.”

  4. Mencius and the argument for goodness • All humans are alike by nature • The sage (the person who has the wisdom of right and wrong), who is good by nature is a person. • Therefore, all human beings are good by nature.

  5. The child and the well • Only one devoid of a human heart would not be moved by compassion. • Jen leads to yi

  6. The virtues also give evidence of basic human goodness. • Compassion is the beginning of jen • Example of the child at the well • Shamefulness is the root of yi. • If we cause hurt, we try to make restitution. • Reverence is the beginning of li • Children have natural reverence for parents • Chih, knowledge of right and wrong must be found in every person

  7. How is a basic goodness corrupted? • External circumstance • Abandonment of self • Failure to flourish

  8. The role of education and society must be to enable the good that is there to flourish. • Yi is particularly important—rightness of human action can develop jen • Chih, knowledge of right and wrong is found in every person

  9. Hsün-tzu’s counter-argument • Human nature is basically evil, it lacks jen. • Humans love personal profit and seek their own gain. • By nature humans are envious and hate others. • Human desires lead to lewdness and chaos.

  10. How is jen cultivated? • Cultivating the virtues that humans establish • Conscious activity is required. This is li, ritual and proper activity. or

  11. Cultivating jen • Education and socialization must make the crooked straight. • Transformation requires a teacher who guides the ritual activity. • This requires a strong authority. • Humans have the capacity to understand ethical principles and so should seek a worthy teacher.

  12. Why do people desire to do good? • Look at p. 495 • People desire to do good because their nature is evil. • Environment is the important thing (500)

  13. Taken together • Internal sanctions • Yi, Correct actions • External sanctions • Li, Following rules • Both hold to humanistic measures of goodness.

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