Abstract Taking a comparative approach, this paper is intended to examine the concept of xin as articulated by Mencius in light of the Hegelian notion of Geist (Spirit). This investigation is made against the background of increasing interests in contemporary Confucian scholarship on the similarities and convergences between Confucian and German philosophies which were highlighted by Mou Zongsan and Chun-ying Cheng. Inspired by Hegel’s views on Geist (spirit, mind), we will see that xin in Mencius is neither purely sentimental “heart” (emotion) nor rational “mind” (reason) but a holistic psycho-moral-spiritual entity whose cultivation defines Confucian ethics, education and politics, and that Mencius’s philosophy hinges on nurturing xin through learning, reflection, cultivation and virtuous behaving actively engaged by the moral agent. Like Geist in Hegel, xin in Mencius also demonstrates a self-contained circle that starts from itself, develops itself and completes itself. Its self-unfolding will be examined from three modern perspectives: ontology, epistemology and practical philosophy.
Xinzhong Yao (Fri,) studied this question.