Mencius was a fourth-century BCE philosopher associated with the Confucian tradition.
Historical and textual context#
The Stanford entry discusses his account of human nature, virtues and cultivation. It identifies the Mengzi as the main collection through which his thought is known, probably compiled by disciples or their successors.
Reading exercise#
Use the book-and-section reference when comparing translations. Ask how an argument proceeds instead of treating a short modern slogan as the entire theory. The claim about human nature is a philosophical position, not a survey result about every person.
Scope#
These reading questions are editorial suggestions. This introduction does not reproduce a classical passage or claim to settle disputed authorship and interpretation.