In this episode of Enlightenment Today we will explore the philosophy of the ancient Chinese sage Mencius. He was one of the sages towards the end of the Warring States period in China. His philosophy is built on the notion that human nature is fundamentally good. Mencius uses agriculture as a metaphor to prove this innate goodness. Actually his view on innate goodness is backed up today by evolutionary biology and cognitive science. The wisdom with which Mencius explains how to attain individual equanimity and cultivate moral virtues in the hope of reaching social harmony is still very palatable in the modern world.

 

Recommended Reading

Mencius (Bryan W. Van Norden translation) http://amzn.to/2hGkRrj

Mencius (D.C. Lau translation) http://amzn.to/2hPQhz8