Mencius, a disciple of Confucius' grandson Zisi, advocated retrogression, which was considered inappropriate by many kings at that time. He advocated "benevolent government" and further put forward that "the people are the most important, followed by the state; Junqing. "
Xunzi advocated "benevolence and righteousness" and "kingliness" politically, and advocated "serving people with virtue", and proposed that "a monarch can sail in Shu Ren, but he can swim in the water". The knife cuts bread and fingers. "Philosophically, we also insist on' Heaven has things' and' using destiny'. Xunzi believes that people are born with sensory requirements. When they are hungry, they need to eat, and when they are cold, they need to wear clothes. This has formed people's natural demand for "kindness" and "kindness". However, by studying etiquette and the rule of law, we can turn villains into gentlemen and ordinary people into saints.
Mencius and Xunzi summarized and reformed Confucianism, absorbed some positive and reasonable elements from other schools, and made the Confucian system more complete and Confucianism more suitable for the needs of society. In the late Warring States period, Confucianism developed into a mass in which a hundred schools of thought contend!
Therefore, pursuing advantages and avoiding disadvantages is Xunzi's thought, not Mencius', and so is consciousness!