Beyond a theory of human nature
towards an alternative interpretation of Mencius' ethics
pp. 57-74
in: Xinzhong Yao (ed), Reconceptualizing Confucian philosophy in the 21st century, Berlin, Springer, 2017Abstract
Mencius (4th century BC) Confucian thinker in China probably best known for his view that human nature is good.… He defended the ethical and political ideal of Confucius against challenges from rival schools of thought … According to him, all human beings share certain ethical predispositions such as an affective concern for others, a sense of shame, love for parents, and respect for elders. The Confucian ideal is a full realization of such predispositions, and self-cultivation involves nurturing them to make possible their full development.
