Synopses & Reviews
The Mozi is a key philosophical work written by a major social and political thinker of the fifth century B.C.E. It is one of the few texts to survive the Warring States period (403-221 B.C.E.) and is crucial to understanding the origins of Chinese philosophy and two other foundational works, the Mengzi and the Xunzi. Ian Johnston provides an English translation of the entire Mozi, as well as the first bilingual edition in any European language to be published in the West. His careful translation reasserts the significance of the text's central doctrines, and his annotations and contextual explanations add vivid historical and interpretive dimensions.
Part 1 of the Mozi is called the Epitomes and contains seven short essays on the elements of Mohist doctrine. Part 2, the Core Doctrines, establishes the ten central tenets of Mo Zi's ethical, social, and political philosophy, while articulating his opposition to Confucianism. Part 3, the Canons and Explanations, comprises observations on logic, language, disputation, ethics, science, and other matters, written particularly in defense of Mohism. Part 4, the Dialogues, presents lively conversations between Master Mo and various disciples, philosophical opponents, and potential patrons. Part 5, the Defense Chapters, details the principles and practices of defensive warfare, a subject on which Master Mo was an acknowledged authority. Now available to English-speaking readers of all backgrounds, the Mozi is a rich and varied text, and this bilingual edition provides an excellent tool for learning classical Chinese.
Synopsis
Mozi (fifth century B.C.) was an important political and social thinker and formidable rival of the Confucianists. He advocated universal love -- his most important doctrine, according to which all humankind should be loved and treated as one's kinfolk; honoring and making use of worthy men in government; and identifying with one's superior as a means of establishing uniform moral standards. He also believed in the will of Heaven and in ghosts. He firmly opposed offensive warfare, extravagance (including indulgence in music and allied pleasures), elaborate funerals and mourning, fatalistic beliefs, and Confucianism.