Mozi | Mo Di | Brief Biography
Mozi | Mo Di | Brief Biography
Mozi, also known as Mo Di, was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 5th century BCE. He was born in the state of Lu, in present-day Qufu, Shandong province, and lived during the Warring States period. He is regarded as the founder of Mohism, a philosophy that advocated universal love, altruism, and impartial concern for all people.
Mozi was well-educated and is believed to have worked as a craftsman and engineer in his early life. He was greatly influenced by the philosophy of the Yin-Yang School and the teachings of Confucius, but he disagreed with some of their principles and beliefs. For example, while Confucius believed in the importance of ritual and propriety, Mozi believed that these practices were not necessary for living a virtuous life.
One of Mozi’s major contributions to Chinese philosophy was his concept of universal love. He believed that people should not just care for their own families and friends, but for all people equally, regardless of their social status, wealth, or any other factors. He also advocated for a policy of impartial concern, arguing that rulers should not favor one group over another and should instead treat all people equally.
He also believed in the importance of frugality and self-sufficiency. He argued that people should not waste resources or seek to accumulate wealth for its own sake, but instead should live a simple and modest life. He believed that this would help to create a harmonious society where everyone had enough to meet their basic needs.
One of his most famous works is the “Mozi,” a collection of his teachings and philosophy. This book contains several essays and discussions on a wide range of topics, including morality, politics, war, and the nature of the universe. In these essays, Mozi emphasizes the importance of compassion, selflessness, and impartial concern for others.
Mozi was a controversial figure in his time, and his teachings were often criticized by other philosophers and scholars. Despite this, his philosophy had a significant impact on Chinese thought and culture, and he is considered one of the most influential thinkers of ancient China.
Mozi died in 391 BCE, but his legacy lived on. During the Han dynasty, his teachings were widely studied and respected, and Mohism became one of the dominant philosophical schools in China. Today, he is still remembered as an important figure in Chinese history and philosophy, and his ideas continue to influence people around the world. 0 0 0.
N. B. This article originally belongs to the book, ‘Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons ..
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