In Mencius's framework, ren (benevolence) operates through graduated love, so stronger obligations to parents do not conflict with weaker obligations to strangers—they are ordered by design.

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Mencius(as the main philosopher being discussed): An ancient Chinese philosopher (around 300 BCE) who believed that humans are naturally inclined toward goodness and that moral character is more important than survival or comfort.
benevolence(British tradition in ethics; Murdoch rejects this characterization as inadequate): Being motivated to help others, taken in the British ethical tradition to be sufficient for bringing about what is good for the other
framework(Carnap's philosophy of language and logic): A structured system of rules or language that must be in place for rational discourse to be possible.
graduated love(as Mencius's explanation of how benevolence actually works in practice): The idea that it's natural and right to care more deeply about people close to you (like family) than people far away (like strangers), arranged in layers of closeness.

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