A Brief Analysis of Mencius’ Theories of Original Goodness of Human Nature

孟子在《孟子·告子章句》中与告子对人性善恶的争论中，明确提出了“性善论”，通过人禽之性的区分、性命之辩等主题确立了以“四端说”为核心的性善论。性善论一经面世，古今学者对其从不同层面进行了深刻的探讨研究，人们对性善论为何的争论一直都存在。本文选取五个角度对孟子的性善论作了论述，探讨其基本内涵，揭示它在历史上的独特价值，它深刻影响了后来儒家学者的思想与学说，更是现代社会追求崇高理想的精神指引。In the “Mencius: Chapter and Sentence of Gaozi”, Mencius and Gaozi, in their debate on the good and evil of human nature, clearly put forward the “theory of innate goodness”, and through themes such as the distinction of human and poultry natures and the debate on life and nature, established the theory of innate goodness centered on the “Four Extremes Theory”. Once the theory of innate goodness was published, scholars throughout history conducted in-depth discussions and studies on it from various perspectives. The debate over why the theory of innate goodness exists has always been ongoing. This article selects five perspectives to discuss Mencius’ theory of innate goodness, explores its fundamental connotations, reveals its unique value in history, and profoundly influences the thoughts and doctrines of later Confucian scholars. It also serves as a spiritual guide for modern society in pursuing lofty ideals.