On the evolution and basic characteristics of the thought of benevolence between Confucius and Mencius
The thought of benevolence between Confucius and Mencius was marginalized in the process of inheritance between teacher and students,while the Confucian scholars like Zisi continued Confucius'study of benevo-lence in a proven way.In the academic path of unifying"benevolence"with"ceremony"and replacing"benevolence"with"filial piety",the value and connotation of"benevolence"were clearly marginalized.The"benevolence"constructed by Zisi follows the"Heavenly Way",transforming the emotional experience of"benevolence"into the speculative"benevolence"and the educational"benevolence".Its ideological conno-tation has a clear tendency towards homogenization.