Mencius (371 - 289 B.C.E.)

Meng Zee is also known as: Mencius in Latin; Meng-tsu in Wade-Giles Traditional; Meng Zi in Pinyin; Fondly known as "Meng The Sage"

Confucianism was interpreted and shaped by many sages and philosophers over the years. The best known of his follower was "Men Zee".  He was born in 371 B.C., in the province now known as Shandong, and died in 289 B.C.  He was taught by descendents of Confucius's followers and closely followed Confucian philosophy, particularly the statement "only good men should rule and that the ruler’s right to rule is a mandate of heaven."

Mencius was not only a philosophical idealist but also addressed practical issues such as social and political reforms, taxes, road maintenance and relieving the conditions of the poor. The "Book of Mencius" consists of seven parts or books, and treats of the proper regulation of human conduct from the point of view of society and the state.

Important Concepts

• Mencius' criticism of both Yangists (Daoists) and Mohists
• Gaozi's status as "neo-Mohist", debate about "where one gets it" (i.e, rightness or yi)
• Mencius' ideas about problems with externalist conceptions of yi
• Mencius' claims about content of human nature, features of the sprouts, ways to prove existence of sprouts
• important of the stuctural aspects of Mencius' picture of human nature
• significance of "proper course of development" claim about human nature, potential status of human goodness
• doctrine of extension, why extension cannot be rushed or pushed too hard, significance of agricultural metaphors
• role of the flood-like qi, general heart/mind - qi relationship
• paradox of wu-wei for Mencius

Reference:

• Mencius (Penguin Classics)

The Life Of Mencius

The Life Of Mencius, is an depth study of Mencius (371-289BC).  Mencius is one of the most important figures in China´s intellectual history.  He is revered as the Second Sage of Confuciamism, which, through his personal example and the influence of his sayings, he helped to shape as a major ethical system which has impacted every aspect of Chinese civilization down to the present day. Indeed,his strss on the innate goodness of man, which only needs proper cultivation to bring it into full bloom, has a peculiarly modern tone:"The people are the most important,"he said,"...the sovereign conts for the least. "And," only when the people have steady livelihoods will they have steady hearts." An unusual aspects of Mencius´life was the influence of his mother,who guided him onto the path of wisdom and truth.  To this day, she is revered in China as a model of motherhood.  But, like Confucius before him, Mencius was born in troubled times; the constantly battling rulers of the Warring States had little time for his lectures on humane government. But his life is an inspiring saga of someone who fought all offs to uphold the timeless doctrine of the innate worth of man.