The Essential Mòzǐ: Ethical, Political, and Dialectical Writings

by Mozi, Chris Fraser (Editor)

'The task of the benevolent person is surely to diligently seek to promote the benefit of the world and eliminate harm to the world'

The Mòzǐ is among the founding texts of the Chinese philosophical tradition, presenting China's earliest ethical, political, and logical theories. The collected works introduce concepts, assumptions, and issues that had a profound, lasting influence throughout the classical and early imperial eras. Mòzǐ and his followers developed the world's first ethical theory, and presented China's first account of the origin of political authority from a state of nature.
They were prominent social activists whose moral and political reform movement sought to improve the welfare of the common people and eliminate elite extravagance and misuse of power.

In this new translation, Chris Fraser focuses on the philosophical aspects of the writing and allows readers to truly enter the Mohists' world of thought. This abridged edition includes the essential political and social topics of concern to this vital movement. Informed by traditional and recent scholarship, the translation presents the Mohists' ideas and arguments clearly, precisely, and coherently, while accurately reflecting the meaning, terminology, and style of the original.

Genres: Philosophy, China

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Wing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This translation presents Mohism clearly: The Way of Heaven is Love. The Way of Heaven is best. Societies that do not practice Love will not prosper. The only valid meritocracy is one based on righteousness and utilitarianism. There is no place for nepotism. Economic growth builds on equity and fiscal discipline. Hedonism and wastage are to be shunned. War is a kind of wastage. Ostentatious rituals are hypocritical window dressings that hide rather than treat societal ills. Trust in free will so nihilism and inertia will not find any foothold. Do not dismiss the spirit world if this is to serve as an excuse to dismiss divine retribution. I can, to a certain extent, read the original classical Chinese text and inevitably the translator has to interpret the original text. This is not a weakness. The book also has extensive explanatory notes that render the Dialectics comprehensible. Amazingly, this section includes discussions on the law of supply and demand, modal logic, a version of Zeno's paradox, and other metaphysical topics that one does not usually encounter in Ancient Chinese Philosophy. A must for the lay reader who is interested in Chinese Philosophy.

[Hannah Kersemeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for honors—didn’t love the black and white, consequentialistic, practicality of his philosophy. Sucks the joy and fullness out of life

[Bread · Rating 4 out of 5]

theres quite a bit i found interesting here. mozi begins by arguing for the need for models to rationally construct a good social order & calculate what brings benefit vs harm to the world. he advocates inclusive care/universal love (but not abstracted from relationships as some people caricature), meritocracy in appointing government officials, austerity for the elites & the dispensing of extravagant rituals to ensure the material security of the people, & the condemning of aggressive warfare & submitting to fate. however, he is quite reliant on a universal model which he finds in heaven & the ghosts, but this brings up metaethical issues. he also presents a theory of the state of nature, an account of supply & demand, a zenos paradox etc. seems to be a good selection, but I wouldve liked more dialogues!