The term Cai () in the concept of moral improvement in Mengzi

The article attempts to clarify the meaning of the term « cai » (才) in the concept of moral improvement in Mengzi by analyzing the cases of its use in the context of statements related to this topic. The author concludes that cai , that marks a special (remarkable and transitory) character of a certain property, within this concept denotes the physical characteristic that enables xin (heart-mind) to initiate moral behaviour regardless of circumstances.