Mohism

1
Mohism
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Class objectives

• 1. How is Mohism different from Confucianism?
• 2. What justification does Mohism offer for
  governmental authority?
• 3. Is universal love plausible and/or
  defensible?

3
Mo Tzu (479-381 BCE)

• Warring States period increasing prosperity
  social upheaval
• Rejects many of Confucian doctrines
• Proto-utilitarian the right act is that act
  which will bring about the greatest happiness of
  the greatest number

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Rejection of Confucianism

• Universality rather than partiality
• Tradition not an intrinsic good
• Family relations no more important than strangers
• Happiness to be sought directly rather than as
  by-product state

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Mohist Political Philosophy

• Basic principle of legitimation bring about the
  satisfaction of basic needs of greatest number
• Authoritarian rule
• State like a machine

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Universal Love, Pt. I

• Purpose of philosophy is to effect good
  government
• Cause of all evil is lack of universalm mutual
  love
• Partial family relations to be discouraged

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Pt. II

• Proto-utilitarian principle to stimulate and
  promote all that will be advantageous to the
  nation, and to take away all that is injurious to
  it.
• This implies mutual love

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Argument of Pt. II

• P1. Lack of mutual love leads to disorder, crime,
  and unhappiness.
• P2. Mutual love will bring about happiness and
  order.
• P3. The right thing for a rule to do is to
  stimulate and promote all that will be
  advantageous to the nation, and to take away all
  that is injurious to it.
• C. Therefore a ruler ought to stimulate and
  promote mutual love.

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Critical questions to ask of Mohism

• 1. Would universal, mutual love be effective in
  securing peace and order if it were instituted?
• 2. Is it possible for universal mutual love to be
  effected?
• Are humans capable of such love?
• Can love be commanded?

10
Class objectives

• 1. How is Mohism different from Confucianism?
• 2. What justification does Mohism offer for
  governmental authority?
• 3. Is universal love plausible and/or
  defensible?