TERMBASES
This term refers to
self-examination of one’s own words, deeds, and inner thoughts. Introspection
is a way of moral cultivation put forward by Mencius（372？—289 BC）. Mencius inherited the
Confucian belief that one’s moral integrity and meritorious deeds are
determined by his own ethical cultivation. If his words or deeds fail to gain
endorsement or appreciation from others, one should not blame them. On the
contrary, one should examine himself to find out if his words and deeds as well
as inner thoughts conform to standards of ethics and propriety.
A kind of ethical self-cultivation advanced by the Confucian school of thought, the term has two different meanings: First, du (独) is understood as at leisure and alone. When people are alone, without someone else’s supervision, they easily act in an undisciplined and immoral way. Shendu (慎独) requires being careful with one’s conduct when being alone, consciously following morality and the requirements of etiquette. Second, du is understood as an inner true state. People may in their words and actions manifest what is in accord with morality and the requirements of etiquette, but in their heart they do not accept or pursue any morality or etiquette. Shendu requires that one makes efforts in one’s heart, so that one’s inner world is in agreement with the words and actions required by morality and etiquette.
Reflecting often on what one does – this is a way of self-cultivation of virtue advocated by Confucianism. This school of thought holds that as moral integrity is established with one’s efforts of self-cultivation, one needs to constantly examine his words and deeds as well as what he has in mind as a fundamental way of improving himself. Zengzi（505-436 BC) , in particular, stresses that one should everyday reflect many times on whether he has performed duties for others, treated others with good faith and whether he has reviewed what he learned to see if there is any room for improvement.
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