SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

utilitarianism

  • Mozi – Chapter 49

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    This chapter collects Mozi’s dialogues with lords and craftsmen. It advocates tailored state policies, condemns aggressive wars, stresses righteousness over profit, and argues teaching universal love outweighs manual labor’s limited gains.

  • Mozi – Chapter 40

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    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…

  • Mozi – Chapter 37

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    This final anti-fatalism chapter reaffirms Mozi’s three truth tests. It argues fate makes all groups idle, triggering poverty and chaos, citing ancient texts to prove fatalism is a false excuse invented by wicked rulers and lazy masses.

  • Mozi – Chapter 36

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    This chapter continues refuting fatalism with Mozi’s three criteria. No one witnesses fate; chaos or order hinges on rulers’ policies. Ancient texts label fatalism an excuse for tyrants and lazy folks, a harmful fallacy to reject.

  • Mozi – Chapter 35

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    This chapter refutes fatalism via Mozi’s Three Tests of truth. It argues fate excuses laziness and tyranny, citing sage kings’ virtuous rule and tyrants’ reckless ruin to prove human effort shapes fortune and order.

  • Mozi – Chapter 32

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    This chapter advances Mozi’s utilitarian critique of royal music. It argues music drains public funds, pulls labor from farming and governance, and fails to ease hunger or end wars, citing ancient edicts to demand a ban on extravagant musical performances.

  • Mozi – Chapter 21

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    This chapter expands Mohist utilitarian frugality, setting minimal functional standards for food, clothes, housing, weapons and burials. It cites Emperor Yao as a model ruler rejecting fancy rituals and unnecessary luxurious spending.

  • Mozi – Chapter 20

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    This chapter advocates cutting useless luxury spending to double national wealth. It sets utilitarian standards for daily goods and promotes early marriage to boost population, criticizing wars and heavy taxes that reduce residents.

  • Mozi – Chapter 7

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    This chapter records a debate between Mozi and Cheng Fan on music. Mozi argues elaborate court music worsens governance; sage kings only kept minimal music, as grand musical indulgence wastes resources and distracts rulers from state duties.