Desmond Narain Doulatram APS 605 Father Ucerler March 1, 2017 Humans are Innately Good In book 6A, Mengzi argues that humans are innately good and essentially possess an internal virtue. With the right type of environment and individual effort of cultivation, Mengzi argues that any human being is capable of doing good provided he or she takes it upon him or herself to properly reflect on their individual choices and wisely enacting it accordingly. While arguing with Gaozi, Mengzi responds brilliantly telling Gaozi through the metaphor of the willow tree that it is only by changing the original nature of the tree that bowls are made. In this way of thinking, Mengzi tells Gaozi that human nature is only violated when one intrudes on their original nature of inward virtue thus rejecting Gaozi’s notion of humans being conscientiously neutral in relation to externality.
This is the most powerful example Mengzi gives in relaying the value of
human virtue. He states vividly that it lies within each and every one of us thereby solidifying the admirable potential or should I say reality of humans being good beings. This reminded me so much of late Nelson Mandela’s words where he stated something around the same lines reminding us that “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”