Study On Mencius’s Thought Of Political Edification

The idea of edification is an important part of Confucian philosophy that cannot be ignored and has always received much attention from the academic community.In Mencius’ philosophy,edification is seen as the link between politics and personal virtue,where the moral nature of the ruler and the people can be realised together.The stability and order of the state is based on everyone acting in accordance with the goodness of their nature.Therefore,political edification is vital presence that binds the individual to the state.It can not only guide the philosophy and manner of state governance by those in power at the time,but also providing ideas for the development of the world today.Under the influence of political edification,the individual and the state would form an organic unity that would influence and link each other,and the development and progress of both would appear to be complementary and mutually reinforcing.This paper intends to contribute to the study of Mencius’ political edification by analysing the concept of virtue in his political claims.The main body of the paper consists of five chapters: Chapter 1,the introduction,includes the background and significance of the topic chosen for this paper,a review of the current state of research,the research ideas and methods,and the innovations and shortcomings of the paper.The second chapter discusses the origins of Mencius’ political edification.Firstly,Confucius provides the foundational elements for the idea of political edification.Secondly,"The Great Learning" enriches this idea.Finally,"The Doctrine of the Mean" explores it in further depth.Through the excavation and analysis of the political edification thought of pre-Qin Confucianism,it is concluded that Mencius’ political edification thought was formed on the basis of the inheritance and development of his predecessors.The third chapter provides a concrete explanation of the basis of Mencius’ political edification,Mencius’ idea of political edification is not groundless,but has its foundation and roots in nature.On the basis of his theory of human nature,Mencius proposes the possibility and necessity of political edification of the people,as well as the nature of political edification as distinct from power politics.The fourth chapter explores the ways in which Mencius’ political edification is realised.This chapter argues that Mencius’ political edification is achieved through the basic principle of benevolence and righteousness,which requires those in power to follow the example of Yao and Shun and to regard themselves as "the parents of the people",thereby leading them in virtue.Mencius further recognises the logic of the implementation of nurturing and teaching,the multidimensional approach of teaching the people through poetry,calligraphy,rituals and music,as well as the external regulation of teaching through law.In Mencius’ political edification,"benevolence" was one of the most important features.He not only demanded that the ruler of a country should be people-oriented in his administration,but also suggested that the ruler should teach and influence the people with his own benevolence and virtue,so that the people could also extend the "four ends" embedded in their own hearts to form true goodness.The fifth chapter discusses the ideal society and ideal personality to be achieved through political edification.Under political edification,society can achieve the ideal state of making people happy,and individuals can realise the ideal personality of benevolence,righteousness,propriety and wisdom rooted in the heart.As society is made up of individuals,society and the individual are interrelated and influenced by each other as a whole.The ultimate goal of political education is to break down the barriers between the individual and society,so as to realise the beautiful vision of sharing happiness between the monarch and the people,the unity of family and the state,and unity of nature and man,so that the Tao of politics and humanity is no longer an ethereal concept,but a concrete and achievable goal that is truly implemented in life and individuals.Mencius relied on political edification to find a suitable and ideal form for individuals and society,which not only implies a sense of belonging to humanity,but also an expectation of what the family and the state should be.By taking Mencius’ political edification as a breakthrough,on the one hand,it can deepen our understanding and grasp of Mencius’ thought as a whole,on the other hand,it can also promote the development of today’s society.