周于德利：孟子的經濟論述及其社會與思想脈絡 = Replete with both Morality and Benefit: Economic Discourse in the Mengzi and Its Socio-intellectual Contexts
Journal
中央研究院歷史語言研究所集刊 = BULLETIN OF THE INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND PHILOLOGY ACADEMIA SINICA
Journal Volume
92
Journal Issue
2
Pages
243-288
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
This article aims to offer a new interpretation of the economic thought in the Mengzi. Through careful textual and contextual analyses, it argues that Mencius' seeming suspicion concerning "benefit" is actually a discourse in response to the contemporary political and cultural milieu. The seminal concern of Mencius' economic thought entails appropriate consideration of both material benefits and morality. While this feature has already been seen in the Analects, Mencius further develops a theory of moral sense to elucidate the relationship between ethics and economic life, and employs history as an intellectual resource to illuminate the economic blueprint as well as the moral character of benevolent governance. In a nutshell, attending to the interplay between economic life and morality is a critical component in Mencius' teachings; furthermore, Mencius' economic discourse not only constitutes an indispensable part of his political philosophy, but also sheds light on the intellectual history of pre-imperial China.
Subjects
Mengzi (Mencius); economic thought; benefit; moral sense; intellectual history of pre-imperial China
Publisher
ACAD SINICA-INST HISTORY PHILOLOGY
Type
journal article