Book contents
- The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and the West
- The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and the West
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Dilemma
- Part I Two Ancient Traditions
- 2 The Beginnings of Ethical Philosophy
- 3 The Challenge to Virtue and the Discovery of Human Nature
- 4 A Normative Psychology
- 5 The Universality of Normative Standards
- 6 Justice, Propriety, and the Common Good
- 7 Government
- Part II The Formation of Two Constitutions
- Part III The Eclipse of Classical Thought
- Appendix The Encounter with the Abrahamic Religions
- Index
6 - Justice, Propriety, and the Common Good
from Part I - Two Ancient Traditions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 July 2022
- The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and the West
- The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and the West
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Dilemma
- Part I Two Ancient Traditions
- 2 The Beginnings of Ethical Philosophy
- 3 The Challenge to Virtue and the Discovery of Human Nature
- 4 A Normative Psychology
- 5 The Universality of Normative Standards
- 6 Justice, Propriety, and the Common Good
- 7 Government
- Part II The Formation of Two Constitutions
- Part III The Eclipse of Classical Thought
- Appendix The Encounter with the Abrahamic Religions
- Index
Summary
In both classical traditions, normative standards are based on human nature. To act rightly is to live a truly human life. In both traditions, the purpose of society and government is to help every person to live such a life. Part of living such a life is to help others to do so.
Confucians spoke of ren (仁) or benevolence. For Mencius, the object of ren is the well-being of others. When extended, it is the well-being of everyone in society. One of his examples of benevolence concerned a king who doubted that he had any such virtue. Mencius reminded him of the distress he had once felt seeing an ox about to be sacrificed to consecrate a bell. He spared the ox. If extended to a concern for all people, his benevolence would be sufficient to rule a kingdom.
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- Information
- The Eclipse of Classical Thought in China and The West , pp. 80 - 115Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022