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Comparing Kongzi And Mengzi Essay

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Comparing Kongzi And Mengzi Essay
Mengzi’s mentor was actually Kongzi; therefore there are similarities between these two philosophers. Both Kongzi and Mengzi both discuss what it means to be a good person as well as the essentials of human happiness. Although both Kongzi and Mengzi share similar ideas, their interpretations of goodness and human happiness differ. Kongzi’s interpretation of goodness is determined by a person's wisdom. On the other hand, Mengzi discusses goodness based off of a person's actions. According to Kongzi, human happiness is related to his idea of goodness. Mengzi’s idea of human happiness is related to his idea of benevolence. Benevolence is acting respectful and professional. Both philosophers have similar ideas, but they interpret these ideas very differently due to their experiences and time periods in which …show more content…
On page 10, Kongzi displays goodness as a form of wisdom:: “To live in the neighborhood of the Good is fine. If one does not choose to dwell among those who are Good, how will one obtain wisdom” (Confucius, 10, 4.1)? HIs remark on goodness translates to “”With regard to neighborhoods, it is that presence of those who are Good that makes them desirable. How could someone who does not chose to dwell in Goodness be considered wise” (Footnote 36, 10)? On the other hand, Mengzi discusses goodness based off of a person's actions. According to Kongzi, human happiness is related to his idea of goodness. On page 70, Mengzi brings up an important attribute of being a good person by talking about benevolence and righteousness and relating to a person’s internal and external self: “benevolence is internal; it is not external. Righteousness is external; it is not internal” (Norden, 70). From Mengzi’s remark, we learn that benevolence is an internal attribute. It is a thought or idea we feel inside. On the other hand, righteousness is external and is judge based off the daily actions taken

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