This article covers the West Lodge Debates under Southern Qi. Prince Xiao Ziliang hosted a scholarly circle including Zu Chongzhi, who calculated pi precisely. Skeptic Fan Zhen challenged Buddhist karma with On the Annihilation of the Spirit, sparking a landmark faith–reason clash. It captures a rare golden age of southern culture and thought.
Mencius said, “Benevolence brings glory, whereas its absence leads to disgrace. Now people hate disgrace and benevolence, just like those who hate dampness but live in a low-lying area.