孟子提出四端之心的觀念，並且在與告子的論辯中主張仁義內在。本課程首先藉由提出「仁義如何內在？」的問題，釐清仁義內在的意義，並依之詮釋四端之心的觀念，從而說明孟子的立場是一種道德實在論。

Mencius proposed the concept of the four ends of the heart, and argued that benevolence and righteousness are inherent in his debate with Gaozi. This course first clarifies the inner meaning of benevolence and righteousness by raising the question "How is benevolence and righteousness inherent?" and interprets the concept of the four ends of the heart accordingly, thus explaining that Mencius's position is a kind of moral realism.

Ames, Roger. (1991). “The Mencian Conception of Ren Xing: Does it Mean ‘Human Nature’?” in Henry Rosemont, Jr. (ed.), Chinese Texts and Philosophical Contexts Essays De dedicated to Angus C. Graham (Chicago: Open Court, 1991), 143-175.
Darwall, Stephen. (1998). “Empathy, Sympathy, Care.“ Philosophical Studies 89, 261-282.
Hansen, Chad. (1992). A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought: A Philosophical Interpretation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nivison, David S. (1996). The Ways of Confucianism Investigations in Chinese Philosophy. Chicago: Open Court.
史偉民、林久絡（2022）。〈孟子式的擴充與訴諸人身的實踐推理〉。《漢學研究集刊》，35，129-172。
牟宗三（2003）。《圓善論》。《牟宗三先生全集》，22。台北：聯經。
黃敏浩（2002）。〈孟子、告子辯論的再詮釋〉。《清華學報》，32 (1)，117-144。

Ames, Roger. (1991). “The Mencian Conception of Ren Xing: Does it Mean ‘Human Nature’?” in Henry Rosemont, Jr. (ed.), Chinese Texts and Philosophical Contexts Essays De dedicated to Angus C. Graham (Chicago: Open Court, 1991), 143-175.
Darwall, Stephen. (1998). “Empathy, Sympathy, Care.” Philosophical Studies 89, 261-282.
Hansen, Chad. (1992). A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought: A Philosophical Interpretation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nivison, David S. (1996). The Ways of Confucianism Investigations in Chinese Philosophy. Chicago: Open Court.
Shi Weimin, Lin Jiuluo (2022). "Mencius-style expansion and personal practical reasoning". Journal of Chinese Studies, 35, 129-172.
Mou Zongsan (2003). "The Theory of Perfection". "The Complete Works of Mr. Mou Zongsan", 22. Taipei: Lianjing.
Huang Minhao (2002). "Reinterpretation of the Debate between Mencius and Gaozi". Journal of Tsinghua University, 32 (1), 117-144.