Rival Confucianisms: Mencius vs. Shunzi

Introduction

• Confucianism vs. Rujia:
  • Confucians refer to their tradition as Rujia (school of the refined/sages).
  • Confucianism is not just about Confucius but a collection of wise people.
• Hermeneutics:
  • The study of interpretation, especially of texts.
  • Important for understanding Confucius’ teachings and their implications over time.

Hermeneutics in Confucianism

• Need for Multiple Sages:
  • More sages are needed to interpret Confucius and the Analects.
  • Interpretation is essential for understanding the evolution of ideas like Li and Ren.
• Example:
  • Interpretation of the Second Amendment in the U.S. illustrates how different readings can exist even when the text is agreed upon.

Mencius: The Second Sage

• Background:
  • Lived five to six generations after Confucius, died in 308 BCE.
• Teachings:
  • Human Nature:
    • Believed human nature is inherently good but requires cultivation.
    • Introduced the concept of Xin (heart-mind).
  • Four Sprouts:
    • Pity (Ren), Shame (Rightness), Modesty (Li), Right/Wrong discernment (Wisdom).
  • Influence:
    • Mencius’ interpretation suggests a semi-egalitarian view, emphasizing practice over innate disparity.

Shunzi: An Alternative Interpretation

• Background:
  • Next major interpreter of Confucianism after Mencius, favored until the 10th/11th centuries.
• Teachings:
  • Human Nature:
    • Argued that human nature is self-centered and flawed, unlike Mencius.
  • Role of Li and Rituals:
    • Believed Li was needed to conquer human nature, not derived from it.
  • Heaven (Tien):
    • Saw Tien as amoral and indifferent, contrary to Mencius’ view of a moral heaven.
  • Artificiality of Morality:
    • Proposed that morality, law, and rituals are human inventions, not natural gifts.

Key Differences

• Human Nature:
  • Mencius: Human nature is good; needs cultivation.
  • Shunzi: Human nature is flawed; needs control through Li.
• Heaven (Tien):
  • Mencius: Heaven is moral; aligns with human goodness.
  • Shunzi: Heaven is indifferent; morality is a human construct.

Questions for Consideration

• What is hermeneutics and why is it crucial in Confucian studies?
• What is the Xin and its importance in Confucian thought?
• How do Mencius and Shunzi differ in their interpretations of human nature and Tien?
• Who offers the correct interpretation of Confucius' call to Li?

References

• Translation of the Book of Mencius by Irene Bloom, edited by Philip J. Ivanhoe (2009).
• John Knobloch’s study of the complete works of Shunzi (1988).