Which of the Following Best Captures Mencius's Argument in 2A6

question 981

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best captures Mencius's argument in 2A6 that everyone has the capacity to become virtuous?

• A) Even someone who feels no compassion when seeing a child about to fall down a well will see some reason to help the child, even if it is a selfish one. Actually saving the child, however, will make people feel good about themselves, which will lead them to do more good things in the future. Thus, anyone can become virtuous, even if they have no virtuous motivations now.
• B) Only someone who wants to save a child from a well out of compassion is truly virtuous. Wanting to save the child for the sake of profit or fame is not virtuous. Therefore, everyone has the capacity to become virtuous.
• C) Someone who lacks feelings of compassion and shame is not human. Therefore, all humans have the feelings of compassion and shame. Therefore, all humans have the capacity to become virtuous.
• D) Anyone who sees a child about to fall down a well will naturally feel an urge to save the child, simply out of compassion. This shows that everyone has the natural capacity to feel compassion. Cultivating compassion leads to benevolence. The same goes for other virtues. Therefore, everyone has the capacity to develop virtues.

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Definitions:

Organizing

The act of arranging elements following one or multiple logics with the aim to reach a specific goal or manage a system of complexity.

Leading

The process of influencing others towards the achievement of goals; in a business context, it involves motivating employees and guiding the organization in a clear direction.

Employees

Individuals who are hired by a business or organization to perform specific tasks in exchange for compensation.

Output

The final product, service, or amount of work produced by a process, system, or organization.