Mozi: Basic Writings

Mozi was an important fifth century BC political and social thinker and formidable rival of the Confucianists. He advocated universal love, belief in the will of Heaven and in ghosts, and firmly opposed warfare, extravagance, elaborate funerals and mourning. 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.