Why does Mencius tell the story of Ox Mountain in 6A8?
A) To illustrate the idea that feelings of compassion and disdain are the sprouts of benevolence and righteousness.
B) To respond to the objection that because many people lack benevolence and righteousness, human nature cannot truly be good.
C) To argue by analogy that human nature is not truly good because it can be corrupted by bad circumstances.
D) To prove that human nature is naturally good because virtue always regrows, given enough time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mencius uses the story of Ox Mountain to counter the argument that the absence of benevolence and righteousness in many people indicates that human nature is not inherently good. He suggests that external circumstances can strip away these qualities, much like the lush vegetation of Ox Mountain was stripped away, but this does not mean they were never present or that human nature is inherently bad.

Why Does Mencius Tell the Story of Ox Mountain in 6A8