"The Debate on the Human-Mind and the Tao-Mind" and its Neuro-Ethical lmplications

Headnote

Abstract

Neo-Confucianism posits that human nature is good. Nevertheless, humans commit many evils in life. Neo-Confucianism explains that the discrepancy between humanity's good nature and actual behavior is attributed to the difference between two minds - the Tao-Mind and the Human-Mind. The Tao-Mind is the perfectly good moral mind, and the Human-Mind is the realistic mind, which has a mix of good and evil. This dualism based on Li-centrism asserts that the Tao-Mind and the Human-Mind hae different roots. In contrast, the monism based on Ki-centrism asserts that the two minds have the same root, but differ in representation. Li-centric dualism was proposed by Lee Hwang, while Kicentric monism was proposed by Lee Yi. Findings in modem evolutionary psychology and neuro-ethics suggest Lee Yi's monistic explanation is in line with scientific facts. The human brain does not have separate areas for morality and reality. According to monism, the human mind constantly manifests selfish and altruistic tendencies in turn, which can be explained by findings in modem neuro-ethics. Humans may exhibit the Tao-Mind or the Human-Mind depending on the ratio of activated areas in the medial prefrontal cortex. Neuro-ethical findings support Lee Yi's assertions regarding the way the human mind works.

Key Words: neuro-ethics, the Human-Mind, the Tao-Mind, Neo-Confucianism, Li, Ki, Zhū Xī, Lee Yi, Lee Hwang

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1.Introduction

Neo-Confucianism views human nature as purely good at a metaphysical level. The view of human nature as fundamentally good is the basic premise of Neo-Confucianism. However, as real beings, humans are also exposed to all sorts of temptations and are bound to engage in malevolent behaviors. Humanity is good at the metaphysical level, but a mix of good and evil in real life. The metaphysical origin of humans is explained by the concept of Li (...), and the real-life conditions are explained by the concept of Ki (...) - Li as the principle and Ki as the reality are bound to coexist with each other always. Li cannot manifest its content without Ki, the real-life condition, and Ki cannot work properly without Li, the metaphysical principle. Li and Ki coexist and conflict with each other simultaneously. The theory of Li and Ki is the analysis of the pattern of coexistence and...