Write 800-1,000 words answering the following questions based on the article by Reber and Slingerland.
1. Mencius believes that the world is capricious, unstable, unpredictable. Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you think the nature of the world should influence your view on what it takes to be a virtuous/good person?
2. Mencius argues that human nature is good. Do you agree? What is human nature to Mencius? Do you agree?
3. Imagine that zombies overrun the world and human society breaks down. People become nasty, and its not clear whats the bigger threat – zombies or other people. Would this be a problem for Mencius view on human nature?
4. In the SEP article on Mencius and Human Nature, there is a quote from 6A6 (beginning with “As for what they are inherently…”). What is this quote saying? How does it relate to human nature?
5. Read the passage from Mencius on the sacrifice of the Ox. What is the main idea Mencius is trying to convey?
6. Given what you know about Mencius, do you think he agrees with Confucius that virtue should be effortless? Whyre why not?
7. What is the biggest difference you see between Confucius and Mencius?
