Mengzi (Mencius)

Mengzi (Mencius), a classical Chinese philosopher, emphasized the importance of innate human goodness and the potential for moral development. He believed that people are born with an inherent sense of right and wrong, which can be cultivated through education, proper environment, and moral effort. Unlike other thinkers, Mengzi advocated for the idea that a just ruler should care for the well-being of the people, and he saw compassion and empathy as natural human qualities. His teachings highlight the importance of virtuous leadership and the positive capacity within individuals to cultivate moral virtues.