Among the hundreds of schools of thought, which is the most mysterious school? Some of its ideas have been passed down to this day?
Among the hundreds of schools of thought contending, the most mysterious school is Mohism. Mohist thought was a prominent school of great influence during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The Mohist ideas of "all-round development" and "everyone are equal" have been spread to this day and are still of great significance.
1. The origin of Mohism: Confucianism could not save the world, so Mo Zhai started anew and established his own school
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Zhou Dynasty had lost its influence, and the princes in the world were divided into one party. They have developed their own forces and constantly competed for territory. In troubled times, various literati with lofty ideals wanted to use their own methods to calm the troubled times and unify the world, which prompted the emergence of the contention of a hundred schools of thought.
Mo Zhai was born as a farmer and was initially influenced by Confucian culture. However, he gradually discovered that many Confucian theories were not practical, and many of them were unclear and even full of contradictions. So he traveled around the world to visit famous teachers to solve his doubts and create his own way of governing the country.
So Mo Zhai put forward the ideas of "universal love" and "non-aggression" in response to the actual social conditions at that time, advocating equality for everyone regardless of class, and opposing aggressive wars. His thoughts were truly considered from the perspective of the people at the bottom, so Mo Zhai quickly gained support from many people.
2. The development of Mohism: Love all but not attack, develop science and technology, hoe the strong and help the weak
After Mo Zhai founded the Mohist school, he continued to improve the Mohist ideas and put forward There are 10 propositions: "universal love, non-aggression, respecting the virtuous, advocating unity, economical use, economical burial, non-joy, heaven's will, clear ghosts, and non-fate", and established a strict organization, and he served as the leader of the Mohist family - Juzi .
The Mohists not only made great achievements in thought, but also attached great importance to the development of science and technology. Among the many "liberal arts students" of various schools of thought, the Mohists became unique "science students". They develop geometry, geometric optics, statics, and mechanics, and pay attention to practical and altruistic ideas. They usually require frugality on themselves, but they are generous to others and will bravely stand up to help disadvantaged groups.
At that time, the Mo family could be said to be a "gangster organization" that fought against the strong and helped the weak. They had their own strict organization and strict discipline. They usually traveled around the world with "chivalry" and often helped the weak. They would even interfere in the military operations of vassal states.
For example, if a city is attacked, the Mohists will step forward and use advanced machinery and institutions to help them defend the city. Even the powerful Chu State in the early Warring States Period did not dare to attack the weak Song State due to the Mohist's superb city defense skills.
Moreover, the Mohists also encouraged their disciples to serve as officials in various vassal states, and to promote Mohist ideas when serving as officials. If they could not promote Mohist ideas, they would have to resign. When you become an official, your salary must also be handed over to the group, which will be distributed by the Mohist high-level officials. Otherwise, you will face the "Mo Zhe's method". Moreover, the "Mo's Law" is applicable to everyone in the Mohist family, even the leader of the Mohist family is no exception.
"Lu's Spring and Autumn Period· Qusi Pian" records: "The Mohist's giant son's belly?[tūn] lived in Qin, and his son killed someone. King Hui said: 'Sir, he is old, so he must have another son. , I have ordered the officials not to execute him. "Fu?" replied: "Those who kill people will die, and those who injure others will be punished. Although the king has given him a gift, he must follow Mo's method.
This is about the fact that the son of the leader of the Mohist family, Feiyu, killed someone in the Qin State. King Qin Hui condoned his son's crime for the sake of his only son, but Feiyu said: "This is the law of the Mohist family. Killing must be punished with life, and those who hurt others must also be sentenced. Although you have pardoned him, I must execute him according to the rules of Mohism. ”
It wasn’t that he didn’t love his only biological flesh and blood, but that he reluctantly killed his own son in order to safeguard the “righteousness” of the Mohist family. This selfless spirit made the Mohist family’s influence even more profound. .
3. The rise of Mohism: Opposed to Confucianism, the world’s learning will belong to Mohism if it does not belong to Yang
Moism has been opposed to Confucianism from the beginning, and even more so when it flourished. Criticizing Confucian ideas such as "thick burial", "fate" and "heavy happiness". The Confucianists at that time advocated thick burials, which meant that after a person died, it should be arranged on a large scale and many precious burial objects should be buried. I'm glad, now that the people in the world are living so hard, you are still so extravagant and wasteful, burying all the money in the ground. Moreover, ritual music, singing and dancing are of no practical help to the common people. Those music are luxuries for the nobles to enjoy. Taste.
Furthermore, the Confucian idea of loyalty to the emperor is also opposed to the Mohist idea of universal love. Confucianism has a clear hierarchy, and one must strive upwards one level at a time, be loyal to the monarch, and let the monarch care for the people. Mohism, on the other hand, advocates equal fraternity and treats the common people and people from all walks of life directly and kindly.
At that time, Confucianism and Mohism could be described as being at odds with each other. They criticized and criticized each other in various doctrines. Once one of them gains power, they will find a way to bring down the other.
"Mencius. The article "Teng Wengong" says: "The words of Yang Zhu and Mo Zhai are all over the world. If the words of the world are not attributed to Yang, they belong to Mo. If the Yang family is mine, there is no king; if the Mo family loves both, there is no father. Without a king, there is no father. The father is a beast... Yang Mo's teachings are unstoppable, and Confucius' teachings are untrue. They are false accusations against the people, and they are filled with benevolence and righteousness. If you are away from Yang Mo, you should not engage in lewd speeches."
When Mencius promoted his Confucian ideas to Teng Wengong, he poured dirty water on the Mohists. He said that Mohists had a very strong influence among the people at that time, but such fallacies and heresies would be detrimental to your rule and the world would be difficult to stabilize.
4. The Decline and Fall of the Mohist School: A chivalrous person uses force to break the ban, the world is all white but I am alone in the black
The prosperity of the Mohist School can only exist in troubled times. When the world is about to stabilize, that is The moment when Mohism was destined to decline. Because of the chivalrous thinking of the Mohists, they would judge good and evil according to their own standards, and then use force. In addition, the Mohists also have powerful private private organizations, which is an unstable factor for high-level kings, and they may threaten their rule.
Therefore, the king who is ready to unify the world will not tolerate the existence of such a force. Under the joint suppression of Confucianism and the king, Mohism inevitably fell into silence.
Today, with the development of archaeological research, Mohist thoughts have begun to appear again. Many of its advanced ideas are still applicable today. The essence of Mohism is worthy of our respect and learning.