The essential Mozi: ethical, political, and dialectical writings

Abstract

The Mozi contains the collected writings of the followers of Mo Di, an ethical, political, and religious activist and teacher who lived during the fifth century bc in the ‘central states’ that were later united to become the Chinese empire. Mo Di and his followers initiated philosophical debate in China, introduced influential ethical, political, and logical theories, and were renowned for their outspoken opposition to military aggression and their expertise in defensive warfare. They played a prominent role in Chinese philosophical discourse for over two centuries.