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'the Task Of The Benevolent Person Is Surely To Diligently Seek To Promote The Benefit Of The World And Eliminate Harm To The World' The Mòzǐ Is Among The Founding Texts Of The Chinese Philosophical Tradition, Presenting China's Earliest Ethical, Political, And Logical Theories. The Collected Works Introduce Concepts, Assumptions, And Issues That Had A Profound, Lasting Influence Throughout The Classical And Early Imperial Eras. Mòzǐ And His Followers Developed The World's First Ethical Theory, And Presented China's First Account Of The Origin Of Political Authority From A State Of Nature. They Were Prominent Social Activists Whose Moral And Political Reform Movement Sought To Improve The Welfare Of The Common People And Eliminate Elite Extravagance And Misuse Of Power. In This New Translation, Chris Fraser Focuses On The Philosophical Aspects Of The Writing And Allows Readers To Truly Enter The Mohists' World Of Thought. This Abridged Edition Includes The Essential Political And Social Topics Of Concern To This Vital Movement. Informed By Traditional And Recent Scholarship, The Translation Presents The Mohists' Ideas And Arguments Clearly, Precisely, And Coherently, While Accurately Reflecting The Meaning, Terminology, And Style Of The Original.
This work investigates the foundational ethical, political, and logical theories of the Mohist school, questioning how these early thinkers conceptualized the promotion of universal benefit and the elimination of social harm. Translator Chris Fraser, a scholar of early Chinese philosophy, utilizes recent academic research to present a coherent, accessible version of these ancient texts. The book argues that the Mohists established the first systematic ethical theory and political account of authority in China, positioning them as early social reformers against elite extravagance.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this translation as a significant contribution to the study of early Chinese thought, particularly for its clarity in rendering complex logical arguments. Readers frequently note that the text serves as an accessible entry point for those seeking to understand the Mohist movement without requiring extensive prior knowledge of classical Chinese philosophy.
Page Count:
512
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019258734X
ISBN-13:
9780192587343
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