In it, he demonstrates how the li (rituals) of early Chinese rulers set an example for appropriate human interaction and ways of achieving good government and a harmonious society. The Mencius was written by, you guessed it, Mencius. He expands on what Confucius talked about in the Analects. Mencius basically says that human beings are fundamentally good and educable—which is a theory with tremendous influence in the Confucian world. Also innovated in the Mencius is the idea that subjects have the right to overthrow a corrupt or tyrannical leader. Before that, the emperor was the emperor because he was the emperor, and everything he did was correct because that’s what an emperor would do. According to Mencius, if the emperor didn’t fulfill his duty as noted in the ruler and subject relationship, it was the duty of the subjects to overthrow the
In it, he demonstrates how the li (rituals) of early Chinese rulers set an example for appropriate human interaction and ways of achieving good government and a harmonious society. The Mencius was written by, you guessed it, Mencius. He expands on what Confucius talked about in the Analects. Mencius basically says that human beings are fundamentally good and educable—which is a theory with tremendous influence in the Confucian world. Also innovated in the Mencius is the idea that subjects have the right to overthrow a corrupt or tyrannical leader. Before that, the emperor was the emperor because he was the emperor, and everything he did was correct because that’s what an emperor would do. According to Mencius, if the emperor didn’t fulfill his duty as noted in the ruler and subject relationship, it was the duty of the subjects to overthrow the