Centered on “valuing righteousness”, this chapter argues righteousness surpasses life and the world. It records Mozi’s travels, rebuts superstition, stresses words must guide action, and advocates frugality and merit-based governance.
Chapter 43: Canons and Explanations (II) “Zhi” (Refutation): The opponent affirms this as right and argues for it; I affirm it as wrong and cast doubt on it. “Four-footed beasts” and “living birds” are universal terms covering all things, differing only in scope. If “this is right” is necessary, then all are the same.…
Chapter 42: Canons and Explanations (I) On Causality and Cognition “Gu” (Cause/Condition) is divided into Minor Cause and Major Cause. A Minor Cause is that which, if present, does not necessarily produce the effect, but if absent, the effect is impossible. It is like a part of a whole, or a point on a…
Chapter 41: Canons – Part II Rest (Zhi): Staying within a category of motion. Explanation lies in sameness.The coexistence of subject and attribute: Which truly exists? There are four divergent theories.The difficulty of analogical reasoning lies in the difference in size.The Five Elements do not constantly overcome each other. Explanation lies in suitability.Things share…
Chapter 40: Canons – Part I Cause (Gu): That which is obtained before something is accomplished.Rest (Zhi): Persistence over time.Part (Ti): That which is divided from a whole (Jian).Necessity (Bi): That which does not cease.Cognition (Zhi): The innate material capacity to know.Level (Ping): Having the same height.Deliberation (Lv): The act of seeking.Equal Length (Tong…
Han Fei uses the elephant-bone analogy: the invisible Dao is known through its tangible effects, just as an elephant is imagined from its bones.