Exploration of Mo-Tzu's Religious, Political and Economic Thought

• Main Authors: Lin Tsan-Syung, 林燦雄
• Other Authors: Tu Pao-Rei
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/49982451629016578394

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 東方人文思想研究所 === 92 === This thesis delves into the thoughts of Mo-Tzu, with focus on his 10 arguments. The author treats “the will of heaven, insight of the spiritual world and defiance of destiny” as religious issues because the three are mystical in nature; “respect for the well-learned, respect for harmony, unbiased love and avoidance of war” as political issues because the four concern public administration; and “resource conservation, simplified funeral and rejection of pleasure” as economic issues because the three contain such economic elements as production, consumption, exchange and distribution. Mo-Tzu’s consideration for “practicability, utility and equitability” is seen throughout his thoughts, so these three features have been incorporated to help clarify the construct and framework of his 10 arguments. This thesis consists of 6 chapters. The first chapter “Introduction” is divided into 4 sections. Entitled respectively Purposes of Research, Motives of Research and Methodologies of Research, the first 3 sections explain the purposes, motives and methodologies of the author’s endeavor to study Mo-Tzu and define the religious, political and economic facets of the study. The last section outlines the writing schedule for this thesis, which has been set in place to keep the writing on the proposed tract. The second chapter, “Analysis of Mo-Tzu’s Religious Thoughts,” analyzes the religious aspects of the 10 arguments. This portion includes “the will of heaven, insight of the spiritual world and defiance of destiny.” The first section delves into thoughts pertinent to the will of heaven. The philosophy of Mo-Tzu differed from other prevalent theories of the Spring-Autumn Era in its recognition of “the will of heaven.” Mo-Tzu regarded heaven as the ultimate standard, on which the gauging of everything is based. What is the will of heaven then? The analysis of this chapter concludes that “righteousness” is indeed the will of heaven, and all the ideas of Mo-Tzu were for the purpose of realizing righteousness on earth. This section, therefore, explores the concept to outline Mo-Tzu’s idea of heavenly righteousness. Mo-Tzu’s “insight of the spiritual world” is then treated to identify the underlying motive. He employed the mystic power of the spirits to attain his political idea of a peaceful, orderly world. Mo-Tzu affirmed the existence of the spirits so they might reward the righteous and judge the wicked to maintain social orders. Overly dependent on the power of the spirits, however, may result in the faith in destiny, believing that everything is foreordained, that it is fruitless for anyone to attempt to change his fate. Thinking that way, man will become lazy and inactive. So Mo-Tzu further introduced his “defiance of destiny” in an attempt to change the traditional value that “life and death are predestined; wealth and riches come only from heaven.” He encouraged mankind to defy predestination and believe that man’s effort can change things. The third chapter, “Analysis of Mo-Tzu’s Political Thoughts,” covers “respect for the well-learned, respect for harmony, unbiased love and avoidance of war.” An excellent idea, Mo-Tzu’s “respect for the well learned” requires political leaders to employ the able and give them the room to put their ability to work. It also insists that political leaders be the well learned themselves. A nation will never be in chaos if its governors so govern themselves and those who work under them. Mo-Tzu’s “respect for harmony” encourages all to “work together and develop ideological consensus.” If we fail to do so, he maintains, every one will insists on his ideas and ways of doing things and the world will experience incessant turmoil by reason of this disagreement. Mo-Tzu also advocated “unbiased love.” He saw problems of the world as a result of the lack of love. Without love “the strong will begin to oppress the weak, and the majority will begin to tyrannize the minority.” So, he encouraged people to love one another, and he felt that since human beings ought to care for one another there shouldn’t be any war, especially the unrighteous one waged for selfish gains. So, he began to voice the idea of “avoidance of war.” Through these 4 theories we are introduced to Mo-Tzu’s political ideology, to how he had yearned for a government of integrity to solve problems for its people. The fourth chapter, “Analysis of Mo-Tzu’s Economic Thoughts,” deals with such economic theories as “resource conservation, simplified funeral and rejection of pleasure.” Observing the licentiousness of the nobility and the gentry at a time when resources had become scarce, Mo-Tzu introduced the idea of “resource conservation,” with the insistence that everything be reduced to the minimum living standard. He was also against the social cost entailed by “expensive funerals and long-lasting bereavement ceremonies.” In contrast, he proposed “inexpensive funerals and short bereavement ceremonies” for the purpose of resource conservation. Rejection of pleasure is supposed to be a cultural issue. But, Mo-Tzu was against personal enjoyment because he saw the wastefulness of the rulers. Many may have felt that he was overly concerned about practical purposes and overlooked the significance of culture in life. But, this chapter will show that his rejection of pleasure was for the purpose of righteousness. Chapter Five, The Three Features of Mo-Tzu’s Thoughts,” reveals that all of the philosopher’s ideas involve his concern for practicability, utility and equitability. Mo-Tzu maintained that considerations pertinent to people, matters, places and objects shall be based on practicability, utility and equitability. Pragmatism, utilitarianism and equalitarianism, according to him, are to be the standards for everything under heaven. The analysis of this chapter reveals that the entire thought system of Mo-Tzu has originated from the essence of utilitarianism. The sixth chapter “Conclusion” shows that there really is nothing mystic about Mo-Tzu’s philosophy. His philosophical ideas had been constructed for the purpose of wiping out problems of his time, for fulfilling righteousness throughout the world. The 10 arguments of Mo-Tzu are based on his diagnosis of the society. They are 10 prescriptions for bringing a nation out of political sickness and disease. The author wrote this paper from his understanding of Mo-Tzu’s philosophy, from his respect for a man who felt the pains of his people and had strived so hard for the purpose of bettering their lives.