Mozi: A Study and Translation of the Ethical and Political Writings 墨子

Translators and Authors:
John Knoblock & Jeffrey Riegel

Publisher:
University of California, Berkeley

Publication Year:
2013

Abstract:

The authors of the Mozi, an anthology of enormous scope and great importance, can be credited with having produced, during the Warring States period (453–221 BCE), the earliest extended philosophical discourse in China on a varied set of topics that range from aggressive warfare and prolonged mourning for the dead, to frugality, love for others and belief in divine agency. Professor Riegel's study and translation offers a new interpretation of the Mozi's thirty six chapters on political and ethical philosophy. Based on an initial translation by the late John Knoblock, Riegel's groundbreaking work attempts to understand the Mozi in light of excavated manuscripts and recent scholarship on ancient Chinese philosophy.

Table of Contents:

Tables — x

Preface — xi

Abbreviations and Conventions — xvi

Introduction — 1

    I. Portrayals of Mozi — 1

1. Dates and Birthplace — 1
2. Master Mo and Master Kong — 2
3. Master Mo and the Xia Legacy — 2
4. Mozi as a Baseborn Artisan — 4
5. Mozi the Magician — 5

    II. The Mohist School — 7

1. The Three Branches of Mohism — 7
2. The First-Generation Disciples — 9
3. The Grand Master — 9
4. The "Law" of the Mohist Community — 11

    III. The Creation of the Text of the Mozi — 14

    IV. Mohism’s Fate — 16

1. Dates and Birthplace — 16
2. Mozi’s Daoist Persona — 18
3. Knowledge of Mozi during the Tang and Song — 21
4. The Ming and Qing Reassessment — 23
5. Mozi in the Twentieth Century — 24

    V. The Philosophy of the Political and Ethical Chapters — 26

1. The Chapters of Group 2 — 27
2. The Chapters of Group 1 — 36
3. The Chapters of Group 4 — 39

Group 1: The Syncretic Writings
    Chapter 1: Cherishing Gentlemen — 41
        Chapter 2: Cultivate the Self — 47
        Chapter 3: On Dyes — 51
        Chapter 4: On the Proper Model — 56
        Chapter 5: Seven Worries — 61
        Chapter 6: Avoiding Excess — 67
        Chapter 7: Three Disputes — 75

Group 2: The Ten Doctrines
    Exalt the Worthy — 79
        Chapter 8: Exalt the Worthy (Upper) — 82
        Chapter 9: Exalt the Worthy (Middle) — 87
        Chapter 10: Exalt the Worthy (Lower) — 100
    Exalt Conformity — 108
        Chapter 11: Exalt Conformity (Upper) — 112
        Chapter 12: Exalt Conformity (Middle) — 116
        Chapter 13: Exalt Conformity (Lower) — 129
    Impartial Love — 139
        Chapter 14: Impartial Love (Upper) — 145
        Chapter 15: Impartial Love (Middle) — 149
        Chapter 16: Impartial Love (Lower) — 155
    Condemn Aggression — 169
        Chapter 17: Condemn Aggression (Upper) — 171
        Chapter 18: Condemn Aggression (Middle) — 174
        Chapter 19: Condemn Aggression (Lower) — 180
    Moderate Consumption — 192
        Chapter 20: Moderate Consumption (Upper) — 193
        Chapter 21: Moderate Consumption (Middle) — 196
    Moderate Burials — 201
        Chapter 25: Moderate Burials (Lower) — 203
    Heaven’s Will — 219
        Chapter 26: Heaven’s Will (Upper) — 223
        Chapter 27: Heaven’s Will (Middle) — 229
        Chapter 28: Heaven’s Will (Lower) — 241
    Explaining Ghosts — 252
        Chapter 31: Explaining Ghosts (Lower) — 254
    Condemn Music — 273
        Chapter 32: Condemn Music (Upper) — 275
    Condemn Fatalism — 284
        Chapter 35: Condemn Fatalism (Upper) — 289
        Chapter 36: Condemn Fatalism (Middle) — 297
        Chapter 37: Condemn Fatalism (Lower) — 302

Group 4: Condemn the Ru and the "Mohist Analects"
        Chapter 39: Condemn the Ru (Lower) — 312
        Chapter 46: Master Gengzhu — 326
        Chapter 47: Valuing Righteousness — 340
        Chapter 48: Master Gongmeng — 352
        Chapter 49: The Lord of Lu Asks a Question — 369
        Chapter 50: Master Gongshu — 387