Chapter 32 2. Mencius: Human Nature is Good

The question of human nature was brought up by Gaozi. Gaozi’s attitude is very clear, and his views are also very clear: first, human nature exists and is born, it is human nature; "; 3. As a natural attribute or human nature, human nature has no good or evil. In this regard, Mencius could not agree. Thus, the debate started between Gaozi and Mencius. Gao Zi said: What is born is called sex. Mencius asked back: Innate is called sex, just like white is called white, isn't it? Gao Zi said: Exactly. Mencius asked again: Therefore, the whiteness of the white feather is the whiteness of the white snow, and the whiteness of the white snow is the whiteness of the white jade, right?

Gao Zi said again: Exactly. Mencius asked again: Then, the nature of a dog is the nature of a cow, and the nature of a cow is also human nature? How did Gao Zi answer? have no idea. Starting from "Mozi", the debates narrated by the philosophers all ended with the other party having nothing to say.Truly documented like that, rare. However, Mencius' meaning is very clear. First, don't talk about properties in the abstract.In the abstract, there is no difference between feathers, snowflakes and jade, they are all white.From here to there, white feathers, white snow, and white jade are no different from white horses, white sheep, and white dogs, and they are all white.So, does such a nature make sense?

Second, don't talk about "human nature".In terms of nature, there is no difference between human beings and animals.For example, eating and giving birth, animals can also, think, and do it, which is not bad.If this is regarded as "human nature", isn't it "the nature of a dog is like that of a cow, and the nature of a cow is like that of a human"? So, don't talk about human nature, but talk about social nature. So, is there good and evil in human sociality? Mencius thought it was, Gaozi thought it was not. Gao Zi said, inborn human nature is like water, when it opens to the east, it flows eastward, and when the west opens, it flows westward. How can there be any difference between good and evil?

It sounds like it makes sense. So Mencius took up the conversation. Mencius said, yes, the flow of water does not matter whether it is east or west.But, isn't it the same?Let's divide it!Even if water is divided into upper and lower, don't people distinguish between good and evil?Divide too! How to divide? Water is downward, and human nature is good. This also sounds reasonable.Indeed, all water flows downhill.Therefore, all people have to go to a higher place.Water, does it flow to high places?No.Then, there is no one who is not good. Hehe, is there a problem? Have. First I would like to ask: According to this, is human nature inherently good?

No, be kind.Just like water, it is not "below", but "downward".So is human nature.The characteristic of water tends to be low; the characteristic of human beings tends to be kind.This is called "the goodness of human nature is just like water flowing down". It is Mencius' point of view that human nature is good.Ben Shan is not. So, is everyone good? yes.This is called "everything is bad in people, and everything in water will flow down". That being the case, why would anyone do evil? Circumstances and conditions dictate.This is like water, if it is blocked, it will also go up the mountain.But, can you say this is the nature of water?

Of course not, it can only be called "it follows its potential". Similarly, human nature is good, but it is only a possibility, and it does not mean that it must be good.If you create and provide a good environment and conditions, he will be good.On the contrary, it may be evil.In other words, being good in nature is just "can be good". This requires asking: Why can one be good? Because in human nature, there is the possibility of goodness, which is sympathy, shame, respect and right and wrong.These four things are something that everyone has.Mencius said—— Everyone has the heart of compassion; everyone has the heart of shame; everyone has the heart of respect; everyone has the heart of right and wrong.

Mencius believed that this is the common humanity.What emerges from this is the common value, that is, benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom.Among them, the heart of compassion is benevolence, the heart of shame is righteousness, the heart of respect is propriety, and the heart of right and wrong is wisdom. Therefore, benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom are not imposed by the outside world, but inherent in everyone, but everyone has not paid much attention to it.In fact, as long as you think about it carefully and pursue it hard, "everyone can be Yao and Shun".

On the contrary, those who give up the possibility of being good will become evil people, which is called "seek and get it, give up and lose it". This is why there are good and evil in the world. The human nature basis of benevolence, righteousness and morality lies here. This is of course a major contribution to Confucianism, and also a major contribution to Chinese civilization, because it puts forward the core values. Now, any more questions? Have. We have to ask: According to Mencius, don’t human beings have any inherent nature?Isn't the social nature of human beings inherent?Then, why does he have compassion, shame, respect, right and wrong without education?How can these possibilities of being good in human nature be "inherent in me" instead of "made from outside"?

Isn't this a loophole? of course.If it is not blocked, Confucianism will still be untenable. So, who's going to fill the hole? Xunzi.

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