On Mencius' Idea Of 'Middle Way'

In the development of philosophy of Pre-Qin(Xian Qin,先秦),Mencius (Mengzi,孟子)who was a philosopher had outstanding contributions to Confucianism after Confucius(Kongzi,孔子),brought all-new vitality to Confucianism and made a lot of breakthroughs in the theory,of course,on the basis of the fundamental spirit of Confucianism.In the efforts of succeeding and developing Confucianism,'Middle Way'(Zhongdao,中道) is his way of thinking and basic method,and also the ideal of value in the spirit of Confucianism.As a philosophical concept,'Middle Way'is an important part of Mencius' philosophy,which is full of all links and areas of his theory.As a specific form of'Golden Mean'(Zhongyong,中庸),there's no doubt that the meaning of'Middle Way'is similar with it.But'Middle Way'has its own characteristics,which is influenced by the special historical situation and Mencius's personal theoretical style.It can be said that the meaning of'Middle Way'mainly includes the followings:its core content is'Mean'(Zhong,中)and'Timely'(Shi,时),and its general principle is the relationship between standard rules and their weighing (Jingquan,经权),to be appropriate and moderate is its pursuit in the form,and its foremost aim is to be in line with the virtue.These elements, which are required parts of the meaning of'Middle Way',make it filled with specificity and richness,and also received the meaning of ontology.Goodness of humanity(Xingshan,性善),which is one of the distinctive claims of Mencius' philosophy,is the foundation of'Middle Way'.In Mencius' opinion,it first means that humanity is innate,but meanwhile it's extrinsic.'To develop the four germs'(Kuoerchongzhi,扩而充之), especially'to reflect upon the innate true'(Sicheng,思诚),is also an indispensable dimension of the goodness of humanity in the view of'Middle Way'.'The heart of right and wrong'(Shifeizhixin,是非之心) which is one of the'four germs'(Siduan,四端),is the basic part of wisdom (Zhi,智),and belongs to both the areas of epistemology and theory of value.These two parts above which contained in virtue and carried out in moral behavior are very important for the unification of reason,emotion and will.In a word,wisdom is the inner cause of'Middle way'.'Rites'is also an important part of the theory of goodness of humanity.In the philosophical framework of'Middle Way',rites are vectors of benevolence and righteousness(Renyi,仁义),they must be based on virtue and its value. But,rites are relative,especially for their forms,so Mencius tends to regard them as the elements could be changed.Associated with the characteristics of philosophy of mental-nature, Mencius'claim about moral behavior also focuses on virtue.But because of the idea of'Middle Way',the claim becomes more complicated,which displays in the relationships between several pairs of different value.As we know,subjects are the foremost premise for moral behavior.In Mencius' opinion,there's no difference between saints(Shengren,圣人)and gentlemen(Junzi,君子).And then he studies the relationship of saints and ordinary people(Fanren,凡人).His conclusion is that we should face the existence of the wild(Kuang,狂)and the squeamish(Juan,狷),but they could approach'Middle Way'in the process shaped by value.Regard to the relationship between righteousness and interest(Li,利),firstly Mencius thinks righteousness as one of important moral factors,therefore,we could not see profit as the starting point or purpose of the behavior.Secondly, profit can't be banned completely in reality for its necessity,so he takes profit into account relatively,but the point he emphasizes is that righteousness is more important.In the theory of Mencius' philosophy,the relationship between individual(Ji,己)and group(Qun,群)also displays the meaning of'Middle Way'.In the perspective of profit,the group has closer relation with righteousness,so the individual should subject to the group relatively.And in the perspective of virtue,moral individuals could bring about universal virtue of group through the impact on others,and the latter would further become the parts of the virtue of individuals.The goal of'Middle Way'in the development of society is the kingly way(Wangdao,王道).People are the focus of political practice and source of the power of reality,so Mencius pays much attention on the development of people.In his view,moral education is a critical factor for the forming of people's moral perseverance(Hengxin,恒心),but interest is also necessary for people.For the kingly way,it's important to deal with the relation between the monarch and his subject(Junchen,君臣).In the spirit of 'Middle Way',however,Mencius is aware of the inequality between the monarch and his subject,he believes that status(Wei,位)is decided to virtue.The subject of the kingly way is the kings whose heart filled with virtue,therefore,to respect the kingly way and depreciate hegemony is his fundamental point.In the other hand,according to'Middle Way',Mencius doesn't deny the hegemons completely.On the contrary,he tries to make them become the kings whose heart filled with virtue.Benevolence and righteousness is the essence of Mencius' philosophy, and also the moral fulcrum of'Middle Way',in this way,we can say that'Middle Way'is equivalent to the former.For man,benevolence and righteousness is innate,but the two also accomplishes its meaning and value through moral behavior.The primary principle and ultimate goal of'Middle Way'is the interaction and coordination of heaven and human(Tianren,天人).The unity of heaven and human is the keynote of Mencius' philosophy,and also the ontological premise of'Middle Way'. His philosophical ideal is to carry out'Middle Way'in the process of unity.'Harmony'(He,和)is also very important for'Middle Way',it means the pursuit for the unity of different points.Virtue is the rigid core of'harmony',however,its unity in form is also necessary.If there's no virtue in'harmony',it just is'will of villages'(Xiangyuan,乡愿)which is different from'Middle Way'completely.And the best way to criticize and avoid'will of villages'is to'return standard rules(Fanjing,反经)which said by Mencius.If the difference between them was ignored,the misunderstanding will come,which has been testified by the history of development of'Golden Mean'(or'Middle Way').