Mohism

“Mozi’s most characteristic doctrine comes close to asserting that “all human being are equal before God.” Believing in heaven as an active power manifesting love for all, he urged that all people follow heaven in this by practicing universal love. But this has nothing to do with love between persons or human affectivity. His standard of action is strictly based on utility: love for all human beings is demonstrated by satisfying their immediate material needs by abandoning all forms of activity and expense that do not contribute to the feeding, clothing and housing of the people” (Mozi: Utility, Uniformity, and Universal Love, 65).



Mohism, founded by Mo-tzu, was the third group that sought to influence government during the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C.E. Mo-tzu and his supporters believed that the government operated best under the traditional Chinese religions. Under these religions, people were taught to love one another. They believed that the government operated better from a position of love. Although Mohists were pacifists, they utilized their self-defense when it was necessary. They allowed themselves to build strength in preparation of defense.


In this passage a great amount of emphasis was placed on the belief in universal love. Universal love was an idea that everyone was equal, no matter what rank or class a person was in. “Mozi’s most characteristic doctrine comes close to asserting that “all human being are equal before God,”’ that everyone should be treated equally because in the “eyes” of God, everyone is equal. “God urged that all people follow heaven,” the ultimate authority and moral force. This moral force required the participation in universal love. Following this philosophical idea of universal love was a practical love, a consideration for others. The idea of “partiality” or “half love,” was not acceptable. The idea of universal love was to unify, not to single out. The main idea was that everyone should treat others as if they would like to be treated, and treat them as if they were their own family members. Any actions that do not directly assist someone else should be avoided. Merchandise that was not a necessity or was not practical should be ridden off if not needed. Mozi’s doctrine stated, “love for all human beings is demonstrated by satisfying their immediate material needs.” Once the material needs are satisfied, then the person must abandon any activity and materials that don’t contribute to the basic food, clothing and housing of a person.


The founder, Mo-tzu was well educated in the classics and was thought to have even been a follower of the Confucian school. He then separated himself from the school and took up a position of strong belief in separate ideas. These ideas were different from the Confucians who where characterized as “pretentious aristocrats who stand very much on their own dignity and on ceremony, suggesting perhaps a degree of plebeian hostility on the part of Mozi’s followers” (64). This apposed position to the Confucian beliefs was evident in this passage. Filial Piety was an important and strong aspect to Confucianism; however, in Mohism, Filial Piety was considered to be partial. Filial Piety only concentrates on the respect for elders, mainly family members, not the universe as a whole. As Mohists were taught to be practical in all senses, the Confucians did not accentuate this idea. This was why the Mohists felt as if everything the Confucians did was a waste of time, harmful and not worthwhile. The Confucians were known to be selfish for not thinking more about others.


Mo-tzu expressed the idea that by following his doctrine, the world would be able to live in harmony. If everyone maintained the same thoughts and actions then Mohism would be successful. Mohists believed in following the leaders, who followed the will of heaven. This was thought to help with the order and chaos of the society. Reciprocity or a cooperative community was the ultimate goal. Ideally this could work; however, in reality people were not in favor of these analects. In a Mohist society, people were not able to excel, because they were taught to avoid anything that might hurt another person. They needed to be fair and just. Adhering to this idea would have left no opportunity for individuality. In a competitive world, run by government and money, this idealistic universe would be impossible. Mohism, therefore, was a short-lived philosophy concept.