Zhu Xi
Date
2013
Authors
Makeham, John
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John Wiley & Sons Inc
Abstract
The central topic of Confucian moral philosophy is ren xing, or �human nature.� Within that tradition, the two most influential accounts of the topic are those of Mencius (fourth century bce; see Mencius) and Zhu Xi (1130�1200). Mencius lived at a time when many thinkers were troubled by a profound metaphysical doubt as to whether �heaven� (tian) underpins human moral values. Ren xing is what links us with the nonhuman universe, the normative order of heaven. Mencius maintained that humans (ren) are beings born for goodness; at birth, there exists a natural tendency for goodness, as inevitable as the natural tendency of water to flow downward. When left unhindered and properly nurtured, our innate good tendencies � the moral predispositions of our �heart‐mind� (xin) � will become manifest of their own accord (see Intuitions, Moral).
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Book chapter
Book Title
The International Encyclopedia of Ethics
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2037-12-31
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