Mohism

Mohism is an ancient Chinese philosophical school founded by Mozi (Mo Di) during the Warring States period. It presented a rival to Confucian and Daoist traditions and is best known for its practical ethics and social program.

Core doctrines include universal love (jian ai), which calls for impartial benevolence toward all people rather than preferential treatment for family or friends. This principle underpins Mohist views on social harmony and governance. Mohists also argued against excessive ritual and music, viewing them as wasteful and distracting from public welfare, and they advocated frugality in government and personal life.

A key political idea is meritocracy: government should be led by capable, morally upright individuals selected by merit rather than birthright. This ties to a broader emphasis on the welfare of the people as the standard of good policy. Mohists supported defending the state when necessary but rejected aggressive expansion and unnecessary wars, promoting a pragmatic approach to conflict.

Ethically, Mohism is often framed in utilitarian terms: actions are assessed by their outcomes for collective welfare. Their epistemology stressed practical knowledge and tested methods for achieving beneficial results, and the Mohist corpus includes discussions of logic and debate.

Texts and influence: The Mohist writings, collected in the Mozi, cover ethics, politics, economics, and logic. Mohism actively debated Confucianism and other schools but declined in influence after the Qin and Han dynasties, when Confucian orthodoxy became dominant. In modern scholarship, Mohist ideas are studied for their early logic, critiques of ritual excess, and emphasis on impartial concerns for others.