Analysis Of Mencius’s Theory Of Human Nature

Mencius’ s nature-good is the first systematic theory of human nature established in the Confucian school.Moreover,The theory of nature-good opened up the mainstream and tradition of Confucian theory of human nature,and laid the basic character of Confucian culture.Therefore,we can think that Mencius has a pioneering work on the establishment of Confucian orthodox theory of human nature.It is also the key to study and understand the Confucian theory of human nature in the pre Qin period and even in all periods of history.Since Mencius’ s theory of human nature is the first systematic theory of human nature in the Confucian school,the Confucianism after the Mencius can not be related to Mencius’s theory of human nature when discussing human nature.Since the later Xunzi proposed "human nature is evil"criticism Mencius beginning,Dong Zhongshu,Yang Xiong,Neo Confucianism and the Neo Confucian in the process of reconciling Mencius and Xunzi to the development of Mencius’ theory of human nature,are used thinking of their own times and ignore the study Mencius times and Mencius’s way of thinking.Therefore,this article tries to go back to the Mencius text,explore Mencius’ s theory of human nature,and discuss his own way of thinking so as to show the true face of Mencius’ s theory of human nature as much as possible.Therefore,in this paper the first chapter points out that Mencius by rejecting Yangzi and Mozi,highlights the "Distinction between human beings and animals" for humanity of important,and this principle as the premise and the axis of humanity.Mencius will only according to "inborn" that "eating" instinct desire out of the human nature,because although the instinctive desires are born with,but people and animals is not the first area;second desire object is external,and shall not be subject to objective restrictions,can not be independent free,so in physiological desires can not highlight the human nature,and can not reveal the subjectivity of people,it is not as human nature.Under the principle of "Distinction between human beings and animals",human nature is Si’ xin.It not only emphasizes the benevolence,propriety and wisdom,but also distinguishes human beings from animals.It is inherent in human beings,and shows that the use of the Si’ xin is unconditional and universal.In this paper,the second chapter points out that study Mencius humanity and pre Qin " rectification of name" thoughts have the same structure.Based on "distinction between human beings and animals" is rectificate the name of " man",that is to seek the essence of essentialism route by genus and differentia definition method.This is the concrete application of class category to human nature,not to the ontology or cosmology of human nature.So the Sixin of conscience as human nature is the unity of the people,so the divine and the human essence is the same,which is to protect the individual virtue as possible and equal.Therefore,people and animals and all things are different quality,Sixin as human nature is unique,animals can not have,the rest can not have.Therefore,in Mencius’ s system,man is only one of the class of things,and is essentially different from other things.Thus,it leads to the question of the unity of the world,that is,how to explain such propositions as Mencius’ s "know the ultimate","All are for me".The third chapter draws the following conclusions.Mencius in the recognition of the ultimate as the existence of protection at the same time that ultimate unknown.Thus,"know the ultimate" is knowing the unknown.It also pointed out that the scope of the ability of people to turn to their own power to seek stability.Showing the boundaries of man and the ability of the people of the sub-requirements,that is,while doing their own points at the same time all the things that all things have their own.Thus bringing the world into the range of human consciousness and meaning,and asking people to take on the responsibilities of the world.The world is changing,with the growth of human consciousness and personality,and therefore gives the infinite of human cognition and morality.