Mencius is in the privileged position of providing political advice to King Xuan of Qi. Mencius offers a clear political philosophy rooted in ethical principles. The core ethical principles are humanitarian in nature, based on Mencius’s core belief in the essential goodness of human nature. Mencius’s political philosophy is grounded in just and humane leadership. There are several core tenets of Mencius’s political philosophy, and he advises the king accordingly. The first primary tenet is that leaders need to ensure equitable wealth distribution because poverty and injustice breed criminality and other social problems. The second tenet is that righteousness is important in its own right; that even though the leader ensures his own continued
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123). This quote underscores Mencius’s view on social justice and the role a leader plays in ensuring equity. Mencius’s political philosophy is based firmly on enabling citizens to have equal access to wealth. However, leaders need to ensure equitable wealth distribution as an ethical imperative, not only to ensure social stability. In other words, Mencius urges the king to view social justice as a moral matter and not just as a pragmatic or self-serving matter. There are several other instances in which Mencius’s advice parallels the quote related to ensuring social stability by providing well for the people. For example, Mencius also notes that business transactions must be conducted ethically. As he states, “there are humaneness and rightness, that is all…when rightness is subordinated to profit the urge to lay claim to more becomes irresistible,” (cited by de Bary, 1999, p. 116-7). Similarly, kings who profit inordinately from their people are unjust rulers who have neglected the duty of righteousness. Profitability is fine when it is subsumed to the greater need for …show more content…
Those three tenets include the necessity for social justice and equitable wealth distribution; the need for moral leadership; and the need for spiritual strength and a calm mind. Each of these three tenets are in turn rooted in Confucian philosophy. Mencius takes Confucian theory a step further by adding a humanitarian and idealistic dimension. It is no longer enough to promote patriarchal rule to ensure social stability. Mencius asks the king, and in fact his entire audience, to cultivate their own innate goodness. All human actions can be rooted in an understanding of the power of qi in guiding human cognitive processes. What starts in the mind manifests in one’s actions. Treating one’s parents well is only a microcosmic version of treating one’s kingdom well. This is why Mencius is sure to remind the king that every erroneous or negative thought the king cultivates can become like a poison to the land. In an era of warring states, it is critical to harness the
123). This quote underscores Mencius’s view on social justice and the role a leader plays in ensuring equity. Mencius’s political philosophy is based firmly on enabling citizens to have equal access to wealth. However, leaders need to ensure equitable wealth distribution as an ethical imperative, not only to ensure social stability. In other words, Mencius urges the king to view social justice as a moral matter and not just as a pragmatic or self-serving matter. There are several other instances in which Mencius’s advice parallels the quote related to ensuring social stability by providing well for the people. For example, Mencius also notes that business transactions must be conducted ethically. As he states, “there are humaneness and rightness, that is all…when rightness is subordinated to profit the urge to lay claim to more becomes irresistible,” (cited by de Bary, 1999, p. 116-7). Similarly, kings who profit inordinately from their people are unjust rulers who have neglected the duty of righteousness. Profitability is fine when it is subsumed to the greater need for …show more content…
Those three tenets include the necessity for social justice and equitable wealth distribution; the need for moral leadership; and the need for spiritual strength and a calm mind. Each of these three tenets are in turn rooted in Confucian philosophy. Mencius takes Confucian theory a step further by adding a humanitarian and idealistic dimension. It is no longer enough to promote patriarchal rule to ensure social stability. Mencius asks the king, and in fact his entire audience, to cultivate their own innate goodness. All human actions can be rooted in an understanding of the power of qi in guiding human cognitive processes. What starts in the mind manifests in one’s actions. Treating one’s parents well is only a microcosmic version of treating one’s kingdom well. This is why Mencius is sure to remind the king that every erroneous or negative thought the king cultivates can become like a poison to the land. In an era of warring states, it is critical to harness the