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What did Mencius believe about the relationships between people?

  • They are context dependent

  • They should be avoided

  • They are essential for moral development

  • They are a source of conflict

Answer

According to Mencius, the relationships between people are essential for moral development. He believed that humans are born with a natural inclination towards goodness, but this inclination can only be developed through interaction with others. Mencius argued that the five relationships between people - ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother, and friend and friend - are all essential for moral development.
The Wisdom of Mencius: An Engaging Journey into Chinese Philosophy

The Wisdom of Mencius: An Engaging Journey into Chinese Philosophy

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