The Philosophy Book

44

See also: Laozi 24–25 ■ Siddhartha Gautama 30–33 ■ Confucius 34–39 ■

Wang Bi 331 ■ Jeremy Bentham 174 ■ Hajime Tanabe 244–45

B

orn in 479 BCE, shortly after

the death of Confucius,

Mozi had a traditional

Chinese education based on the

classic texts. Later, however, he

came to dislike the emphasis on

clan relationships that runs through

Confucianism, and this led him

to set up his own school of thought,

advocating universal love or jian ai.

By jian ai, Mozi means that we

should care for all people equally,

regardless of their status or their

relationship to us. He regards this

philosophy, which became known

as Mohism and which “nourishes

and sustains all life”, as being

fundamentally benevolent and in

accordance with the way of heaven.

Mozi believes that there is

always reciprocity in our actions.

By treating others as we would

wish to be treated ourselves, we

will receive similar treatment in

return. This is the meaning behind

“when one throws to me a peach, I

return to him a plum.” When this

principle of caring for everyone

impartially is applied by rulers,

Mozi states that it avoids conflict

and war; when the same principle

is practiced by everyone, it leads to

a more harmonious and therefore

more productive society. This idea

is similar in spirit to that of the

Utilitarianism proposed by Western

philosophers of the 19th century. ■

IN CONTEXT

TRADITION

Chinese philosophy

APPROACH

Mohism

BEFORE

6th century BCE Laozi states

that to live according to the

dao means acting intuitively

and in accordance with nature.

Late 6th century BCE

Confucius’s moral philosophy

stresses the importance of

family ties and traditions.

AFTER

Mid-4th century BCE

The Confucian philosophy

of Mencius stresses man’s

innate goodness.

Mid-4th century BCE Daoist

philosopher Zhuangzi criticizes

Confucianism and Mohism.

3rd century BCE Legalism is

adopted by the Qin dynasty. It

opposes Mohism, advocating

strong laws to keep man’s

essentially evil nature in check.

WHEN ONE THROWS

TO ME A PEACH,

I RETURN TO HIM

A PLUM

MOZI (C.470–391 BCE)

Mao Zedong regarded Mozi as the

true philosopher of the people, because

of his humble origins. Mozi’s view that

everyone should be treated equally has

been encouraged in modern China.