Mohism

Mohism is an ancient Chinese grassroots philosophy that emphasizes egalitarian mutual love, promotes peace, and advocates for rational practice. It opposes blind extravagance and unreasonable privileges, advocating the extension of the love one holds for one’s own family to all people in the world. This is a form of activism driven by the principle of “all for one, one for all,” filled with engineering logic and a passion for social reform.

• The bloody wars of competing feudal lords: Why do states attack each other for selfish gains, leaving innocent commoners displaced? How can we truly stop aggression and the chaos of war?
• Class injustice and resource waste: Why can aristocrats indulge in extravagance and hold prolonged funerals, while the lower-class commoners starve and freeze? How can the problem of unequal distribution of social resources be solved?
• Selfish prejudice: Why are people always suspicious of each other, loving only their own but harming outsiders? How can society establish universal trust that transcends blood ties and national borders?

The philosophy of Mohism is filled with a strong practical spirit and scientific logic. It can be primarily broken down into the following four key tenets:

• Universal Love that Breaks Selfishness (Jian Ai / Universal Love):Confucianism emphasizes “love with distinctions” (loving one’s relatives first, then others), but Mohism believes the root of chaotic times is “partiality” (making distinctions between close and distant relations, leading to bias). Mohism advocates Jian Ai (Universal Love)—treating everyone in the world as family, giving equal care and concern regardless of nobility, status, or national borders.
• Economics of Mutual Benefit (Jiao Xiang Li / Mutual Benefit):Mohism does not just offer empty moral talk; it is highly pragmatic. They believe morality must be helpful in practical life and advocate Jiao Xiang Li (mutual benefit). When everyone seeks to benefit and help others, their own interests will also be safeguarded in the overall prosperity of society.
• Opposing Aggression and Advocating Peace (Fei Gong / Non-Aggression):Mozi and his disciples were the fiercest pacifists of the ancient world. They advocated Fei Gong (Non-Aggression), believing that large-scale wars waste human labor and wealth, bringing a hundred harms and not a single benefit. Mohists even formed highly skilled defensive military legions (the historical origin of the idiom Mo Shou, representing an impenetrable Mohist defense) to travel around and help weak states resist invasion.
• Opposing Extravagance and Governing with Frugality (Jie Yong, Jie Zang / Frugality in Expenditure and Funerals):Mohists were extremely opposed to the senseless squandering of the aristocracy. They advocated frugality in daily expenses and funerals, arguing that social resources should first be used to ensure the common people have enough to eat and wear. Unnecessary luxury and lengthy funeral rituals would only drag down the national economy.

Mozi — Founder of the Mohist School

“Love others as you love yourself; it is just like that.”

“Of all the harms to a state, war and weaponry are the greatest.”

In a modern society fraught with geopolitical conflicts, wealth gaps, and resource anxiety, Mohist thought demonstrates astonishing foresight:

• International Humanitarianism and Anti-War Thinking: In the face of wars and conflicts in the contemporary world, the Mohist concepts of “Non-Aggression” and “Universal Love” serve as the philosophical prototypes for modern international humanitarian aid, anti-war movements, and transnational cooperation, reminding us that humanity shares a common destiny.
• Social Enterprises and Public Service Spirit: Many modern social enterprises, volunteer organizations, and charities actually embody the Mohist practical spirit of “all for one, one for all.” They emphasize that while pursuing profit, businesses and individuals must create substantial, tangible benefits for the general public.
• Opposing Internal Friction and Promoting Sustainability (Minimalism): The Mohist spirit of “frugality” coincides perfectly with modern advocacy for environmental sustainability, anti-overconsumption, and minimalism. It reminds us that in an era of material excess, resources should be saved for where they are truly needed, avoiding senseless waste and spiritual depletion.