What is Mencius trying to accomplish in (IA7)? What is he trying to say in his attempts to convince King Xuan that he can become virtuous by extending his feelings? Be sure to explain how the various elements (for example, heart, will) are related.

Write an essay of approximately 1000 to 1500 words on the topic you choose.

1. What is Mencius trying to accomplish in (IA7)? What is he trying to say in his attempts to convince King Xuan that he can become virtuous by extending his feelings? Be sure to explain how the various elements (for example, heart, will) are related.
2. Discuss the image of water as Mencius uses it to illustrate his point about morality being natural. Keeping in mind the difference between what language denotes and what it connotes, how does the water image influence interpretations of morality?
3. Assess the arguments of VIA4 and VIA5 concerning what is external and what is internal with respect to their relative strengths and weaknesses.
4. Critically discuss Mencius’ argument for the germ or sprout of benevolence by analyzing the example he uses of the child about to fall into a well (IIA6). How is it related to other arguments for the naturalness of morality? How convincing is this argument?
5. Show how the tension between the internal and external explanation/justifications for knowing the good can be resolved. You need first to describe the tension between Mencius’ appeal to the heart and inner sense of benevolence, versus the appeal to the sages, the people, and to Heaven. You can use the description of the tension in the Study Guide as a start. You then attempt to show how these appeals are actually compatible.