Mozi was born in China shortly after the death of Confucius. He did this philosophizing during the period of the Hundred Schools of Thought. He disliked the whole clan theme that runs through Confucianism so set up his own train of thought. What he did was emphasize universal love or "jian ai".
Jian Ai means that we should care for all people equally regardless of their status or their relationship to us. This philosophy, which became known as Mohism, is fundamentally benevolent. He believed that it was in accordance to heaven.
Jian Ai means that we should care for all people equally regardless of their status or their relationship to us. This philosophy, which became known as Mohism, is fundamentally benevolent. He believed that it was in accordance to heaven.
Mozi believed that how you treat people, is how you will be treated. He firmly believed that if everyone treated other people nicely, there would be a lot less war and conflict. That there was no need for graded methods of dealing with other people. Treat everyone the same, treat them nicely, and they will do the same with you.
Mohists also believed that one should avoiding activities, ceremonies, rituals and other excesses that are waste of money. Mozi believed that the Way of Heaven was to do what is most beneficial. According to Mozi, Heaven nourishes and sustains all life without regard to status, and the Universal love is the only path to Heaven.
Ergo "when one throws to me a peach, I return to him a plum".
10 Core Theses
"Elevating the Worthy" (shangxian)
"Exalting Unity" (shangtong)
"Impartial Concern" (jian'ai)
"Against Military Aggression" (feigong)
"Frugality in Expenditures" (jieyong)
"Frugality in Funerals" (jiezang)
"Heaven's Will" (Tianzhi)
"Elucidating the Spirits" (minggui)
"Against Music" (feiyue)
"Against Fatalism" (feiming)
I find Mozi interesting. I totally get his "treat people nicely" aspect of thinking. As Christians we are told to love our neighbour as yourself. To treat others as we could like to be treated. It's what God wants from us. Mozi idea is that what we do will bring about world peace. Not really considering that it is GOD that brings about world peace. It's an idealistic way to approach world peace don't you think?
Sources
- Philosophy book
- totally history
- IEP.
Mohists also believed that one should avoiding activities, ceremonies, rituals and other excesses that are waste of money. Mozi believed that the Way of Heaven was to do what is most beneficial. According to Mozi, Heaven nourishes and sustains all life without regard to status, and the Universal love is the only path to Heaven.
Ergo "when one throws to me a peach, I return to him a plum".
10 Core Theses
"Elevating the Worthy" (shangxian)
"Exalting Unity" (shangtong)
"Impartial Concern" (jian'ai)
"Against Military Aggression" (feigong)
"Frugality in Expenditures" (jieyong)
"Frugality in Funerals" (jiezang)
"Heaven's Will" (Tianzhi)
"Elucidating the Spirits" (minggui)
"Against Music" (feiyue)
"Against Fatalism" (feiming)
I find Mozi interesting. I totally get his "treat people nicely" aspect of thinking. As Christians we are told to love our neighbour as yourself. To treat others as we could like to be treated. It's what God wants from us. Mozi idea is that what we do will bring about world peace. Not really considering that it is GOD that brings about world peace. It's an idealistic way to approach world peace don't you think?
Sources
- Philosophy book
- totally history
- IEP.
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