Conscience,Induction and All in One:On Wang Yangming’s Moral Foundation

Moral foundation is the core issue of moral philosophy,and also constitutes the core concern of Wang Yangming.In Yangming,conscience,as a kind of spontaneous moral consciousness,is different from the intentional moral consciousness which is mainly characterized by rational calculation and arrangement.It enables the subject to transcend the utility brought by rational calculation and reflection,so as to realize the direct unity of moral consciousness and action.The reason why conscience has spontaneity is that conscience,as the internal induction function of the body,can respond to the out circumstances quickly,so that the subject can empathize with the suffering and itching of others.Yangming further provided an ontological basis for pain sensing and oneness correlation between different individuals,and this ontological basis is All in One theory founded on the basis of all things are formed by Qi(“气”).This moral foundation work of Yangming is actually based on his understanding of the universe and being,and has entered the field of metaphysics,which is different from the thinking of Mencius praised by Yu Lian,and shows another possibility of Chinese thought on moral foundation.