Mozi

Author: Shi Mingzhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Mozi, named Mozi, was a native of Lu (or said to be of Song). He once served in the state of Song as a minister and traveled to various feudal states, promoting his doctrines. The Yao Lüe of the Huainanzi states: "Mozi studied the teachings of Confucian scholars and received the doctrines of Confucius." This shows that Mozi had Confucian origins, but later in theoretical thought, he stood in opposition to Confucianism, establishing the Mohist school of thought. The Mohist school's doctrines are comprehensively reflected in the Mozi. This book was compiled by Mozi's disciples based on his speeches. The Book of Han·Bibliography records that the Mozi originally had seventy-one chapters, but only fifty-three are preserved today. Based on content, it can be broadly divided into five categories. The era in which Mozi lived was marked by the rise of numerous warlords and the flourishing of the Hundred Schools of Thought, with the general populace suffering greatly from war and chaos, yearning for a stable and peaceful living environment. Mozi, standing on the side of the common people, advocated for the preservation of the survival of the people and weaker states with the principles of "universal love" and "non-aggression." The content of this book is extremely broad, covering politics, military strategy, and other fields. It stands in opposition to the prominent Confucian school of thought. This book selects the essence of the Mozi, providing necessary commentary and discussion, to help contemporary readers understand the profound wisdom of Mozi in various aspects, inheriting and promoting this valuable cultural heritage created by our ancestors.