In the Mencius, Mencius builds a case that humans are inherently good. He does this by using several scenarios, counter-arguments, and basic logic. One of the most important aspects of the account is the balance that must occur in life. Mencius claims that humans are like water. While it can be steered right or left, water naturally flows downward, like humans towards goodness (Mencius 44). It is possible to force water to go upwards, but it is against its nature much like humans being evil is against their nature.
In Book 2, part A, chapter 6, Mencius says, “All people possess within them a moral sense that cannot bear the suffering of others” (Mencius 43). While Mencius applies this to specific, almost instantaneous situations such as the child in the well, it is hard to claim that it is true in all situations. Mencius uses an example that a child drowning in a well would cause anyone around to feel concerned, whether they helped the child or not. In an ideal world, this would be true, but it is not the world as it is now. For instance, many people instruct those who are facing sexual assault or rape to shout ”fire” instead of yelling for help. While the effectiveness of this strategy is questionable, the fact that it is a strategy is concerning enough. Hearing a cry for help does not elicit an immediate response for concern in some people, while it does in others.
Perhaps the people who it does not have an immediate effect on do not have the right amount of sense. Mencius claims that everyone has four senses: commiseration which is connected to humanity, shame connected to righteousness, deference connected to ritual, and right and wrong to wisdom (Mencius 44). It is possible that those who are not concerned in situations of concern are lacking in these senses.
Sections of Books 4, 6, and 7 discuss the nature of balance within life. Following rules for the sake of following rules is not something that is inherently good. In fact, breaking the rules can be the better choice at times. The concept of civil disobedience comes from this. Many people broke segregation laws because they did not see them as inherently good, and breaking them produced actual good in the world.
Rules are also scenario specific. Mencius uses the example of a man saving his sister-in-law to prove this fact. In Mencius’ culture, there was a rite about men not touching women. If his sister-in-law was drowning, then it would be appropriate to break that rite because it is ridiculous to let someone die just to uphold that law (Mencius 77). This ties into the act of civil disobedience and not following laws or rules that result in less good in the world.
In today’s world, there is a lot of talk about the left vs the right and conservatives vs liberals. While it is important to see both sides, it is also important to know right from wrong. This is being balanced in today’s world. Mencius says “if you insist on holding to the middle without considering the balance of circumstances it is really no different from grasping one extreme” (Mencius 128). If someone claims that White Supremacists are just as valid in their reasonings as Black Lives Matter activists are then they are trying to hold onto a middle that does not exist. White Supremacists are promoting hatred and fear into the hearts of anyone who does not fit into their worldview, while Black Lives Matter activists are just wanting the right to live. It is important, especially now, to not buy into the false equivalencies.
Mencius. “Mencius: A Teaching Translation.” Translated by Robert Eno, Scholar Works, Indiana University, 2016, scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2022/23421/Mengzi.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y.
