Definition
良知 is a key concept in Confucian philosophy (especially Mencius and Wang Yangming), referring to the innate moral knowledge that every person is born with — an intuitive sense of right and wrong that doesn't need to be taught. In modern usage it more generally means 'conscience', the internal moral compass. The term carries a philosophical and ethical weight, so it's often used in formal or reflective discourse rather than everyday speech.
n.
(Confucian philosophy) innate moral knowledgeintuitive understanding of right and wrongconsciencemoral sense
Examples
- 「良知」，。Wáng Yángmíng tíchū “zhì liáng zhī” de xuéshuō, qiángdiào rénrén dōu yǒu nèizài de dàodé pànduànlì.Wang Yangming put forward the theory of 'extending the innate knowledge', emphasizing that everyone has an inner moral judgment.
- ，良知，。Zài jùdà de lìyì miànqián, tā shīqù le liáng zhī, zuòchū le shāng tiān hài lǐ de shì.Faced with huge profits, he lost his conscience and did something outrageous.
- 良知。Zhège shèhuì xūyào gèng duō hūhuàn liáng zhī de shēngyīn.This society needs more voices that appeal to conscience.
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