On Sympathy as the Basis of Confucian Morality

Dr Peter Wong (University of Melbourne)

The work Mencius (mainly composed by the philosopher Mencius, 385-304? BCE) is a key text in the Confucian canon that came into prominence during the 11th Century, and which has dominated the mainstream interpretation of Confucianism since then. Mencius' emphasis on sympathy, and its intimate connection with ren (a central term in Confucian teaching, variously translated as benevolence, humanity, authoritative conduct, and so forth), offers us a way better to understand Confucian cultivation and morality.

This paper identifies and discusses a few key passages in the Mencius that are central to understanding the place of sympathy in Mencian philosophy. A key topic for Mencius is the cultivation of appropriate conduct. Is it accomplished via training one's psycho-physical responses, or through nurturing one's sympathetic feelings?

At the same time, I will appeal to the work of Peter Strawson, “Freedom and Resentment”, in order to provide a context for the modern audience to better engage with these ancient ideas.

Dr Peter Wong is an Honorary Fellow of the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne