BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

O MENG-ZI was born in the state of Zhou

in 372 B.C.
O He is most likely the best pupil of

Confucius because he has the best interpretation of Confucius teachings.

O His main interests range from ethics

to social and political philosophy.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
O Like his master Confucius, he always

traveled around China to enlighten or give advice to rulers of different kingdoms.

O But unlike Confucius, he asserted

that goodness is in the heart of a man as part of his nature.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
O After serving as an official to the

government during the period of the warring states (403-221 B.C.), he disappeared from public service for three years to mourn the death of his mother.
O Hence, he was not able to effect

reforms. He died in 289 B.C.

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MENG-ZI AS A SOCIAL REPORMIST

O Meng Zi revered his master Confucius

both in teaching and in moral rectitude; in theory and practice.

O Not only did he teach his disciples.

He also exemplified the value of work.

MENG-ZI AS A SOCIAL REPORMIST

O Work and character are not separate;

rather they are unified in forming virtues. O For Meng-Zi it is normal for inequality to exist among things. This is because things are reared and conditioned in different places and times.

MENG-ZI AS A SOCIAL REPORMIST

O Meng-Zi advocates:
O individual rights O interest of the state O value of private ownership

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MENG-ZI AS A SOCIAL REPORMIST

O Evil and goodness are natural and at

the same time, nourished. It is a mans choice if he wants goodness or evil to flourish. O Man allowing evil to entertain him would naturally be entertained as well. O Evil begets evil the same way as good begets goodness.

MENG-ZI AS AN EDUCATOR
O Education was confined in rites.
O Rites are product of a high

civilization and considered to be of high relevance. O A person who knew rites was considered highly educated.

MENG-ZI AS AN EDUCATOR
O During the intense conflicts of

kingdoms in China, Meng-Zi and several others pushed the great ideas of :

Ren- the consciousness of the other and O Li - is the awareness of a proper conduct.
O

MENG-ZI AS AN EDUCATOR
O Civility means aristocracy. Only the

man of high consciousness will understand Li. O Ritual is a kind of discourse between the living and the dead, a kind of communication in the level of the spirit.

MENG-ZI AS AN EDUCATOR
O The mind and the heart form a unified

faculty, which is the great part of every individual. O Man is created for goodness and virtue which must be nourished by realizing the great advantage in doing good to others and performing communicative action to reform society.

Conficious Teachings
O 1.
O O O O O O O

Ren Humanity; the highest Confucian virtue 2. Shu To accommodate 3. Ming - Destiny 4. Yi Justice 5. Li Rites 6. Hsiao Filial or Piety (being good to parents) 7. Xin: Faithfulness or Honesty 8. Chung: Loyalty to the state