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I read Mozi's, "Universal Love III" and the portion I want to describe in the idea of universalism and love. In the text, Mozi talks about how anyone who has a criticism of another, must provide a solution or suggestion. The negative feedback without constructive suggestion is meaningless and hurtful. Everything we do as humans should be to improve the world, for the benefit of the whole. Anything that does not benefit the whole is bad because it is hurtful, there is no neutral action. He goes on to say that if everyone saw others as themselves, and other states as their own state- there would be no war. He claims that all good and noble things come from love and not death and selfish acts. Everything good comes from universalism not partiality.

My Commentary: I think that Mozi had good intentions and I want some of the same things he wanted. He wanted an end to war and for humanity to work together for the betterment of the world. This is noble and I believe it is morally good as well. However, I think that Mozi overlooked the nature of people in leadership. Mozi spoke these things in a time of constant war among the states, where they wanted to overpower other states for power and control. Mozi's preaching of universal love was needed, but not as effective as his follower's defensive combat. I think that a flaw in his teachings is that he assumed that everyone would want to make moral decisions and do good, even without reward. He taught against partiality and individualism, but I think he needed to appeal to the individuals in order to see change. It is difficult to convince a whole state of a philosophy. I believe that he would have been more successful, if he provided easy ways for individuals and families to adopt his teaching to then share it with others in a reproducible way. Otherwise he was just speaking to authority figures who were interested in power, not love and the betterment of the world through peace.

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You can look deeply into Mozi's teaching about universal love, inclusive care, peace, productivity and righteousness. Overall his ideas and teachings are linked together under the umbrella of doing what is morally right. Mozi believed that because of his belief in Heaven/God/Spirits that everything was categorized by its righteousness. Although he did not believe that there was a reward for doing good, he believed in being righteous simply for the sake of it. Even if you are punished for it. He taught that all people are equal under Heaven. His political views were that only those who were morally worthy to rule should have power. He also taught that anything that hinders productivity for the betterment of the whole was unrighteous. It may all boil down to doing what is right in Heaven's sight.

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“Universal love is really the way of the sage-kings. It is what gives peace to the rulers and sustenance to the people. The gentleman would do well to understand and practice universal love; then he would be gracious as a ruler, loyal as a minister, affectionate as a father, filial as a son, courteous as an elder brother, and respectful as a younger brother. So, if the gentleman desires to be a gracious ruler, a loyal minister, an affectionate father, a filial son, a courteous elder brother, and a respectful younger brother, universal love must be practiced. It is the way of the sage-kings and the great blessing of the people.”

-Mozi-

Book 4; Universal Love III

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"Undoubtedly what Heaven desires is that there be mutual love and mutual benefit among people. What it does not desire is that there be mutual hatred and mutual harm among people‌‌‌‌." (The Mozi: A Complete Translation, p. 27).

One of Mozi's most popular ideas is "Universal Love". He believed that it was the will of Heaven (or God) that if everyone were to care about one another as if they were an extension of themselves, the world would be a much better place. He believed that it was possible to build a society where everyone benefits. The value of success and betterment for the whole vs the individual is of paramount importance to Mohists.

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"Whoever criticizes others must have something to replace them. Criticism without suggestion is like trying to stop flood with flood and put out fire with fire. It will surely be without worth.“
-Mozi-
Book 4; Universal Love III

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Mozi is believed to be active form the late 5th to early 4th centuries B.C.E. in modern day China. This would mean the Mozi was alive during the warring states period. There is not much known about his personal life, but he was believed to be a student of Confucian but rebelled against its teachings. Mozi and his followers, (the Mohists) spoke out against war. The Mohists would use their skills in defensive fighting to go to the air of smaller villages and states that were under attack. Mohists did not have loyalty to one country, and stood for peace.

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1. If there is not a practical call to action in what you say, is it valuable to share those ideas anyway, with the expectation for change?

2. What practical steps could Mozi have given others to see a greater movement toward universal love?