Before reading this article, we invite you to click it"Follow".button, so that you can continue to push such articles in the future, and it is also convenient for you to discuss and share, and your support is the driving force for us to persist in creating
Text丨Tang Tang. During the Warring States Period, many schools of thought emerged in China, among which the Mohists were known for their unique ideas of love and non-aggression. The Mohists' philosophy of treating others with love and resolving disputes in a non-offensive manner contrasted sharply with the prevailing warlike tendencies of the time. However, although the Mohists made some important breakthroughs in science and technology, they were ultimately not preserved.
The Mohist school originated in the Warring States Period, advocating the ideas of "concurrently loving", "non-offensive" and "Shangtong", and advocating the principles of peace, justice and practicality. The Mohists emphasized the principle of practical profit, opposed luxury and waste, and advocated practice and pragmatism, which challenged the social order and political system of the time. Its non-offensive thinking also influenced the military strategy and foreign policy of later generations to a certain extent.
The contribution of the Mohist school in the field of science and technology cannot be ignored, especially in the field of mechanical arts. They invented many mechanical devices, such as Mozi's mechanical birds, mechanical vehicles, etc., which not only demonstrated their exquisite achievements in engineering technology, but also provided valuable experience for the development of science and technology in later generations.
Although the Mohist school upheld the principles of peace and love, it was often difficult to realize this idea in the political atmosphere of the Warring States period. The rulers of the time tended to adopt a policy of power and rejected the ideas of the Mohist school, which led to the marginalization of the Mohist school.
There are many reasons why the Mohists were not preserved in the end. First, there was fierce academic competition between the Mohist school and other schools of thought, such as Confucianism and Taoism, which eventually became the mainstream of thought in ancient Chinese society. The benevolence and morality advocated by Confucianism differed from the pragmatism and utilitarianism of Mohism, and the rulers of the time were more inclined to Confucian ideas of governance, which hindered the development of Mohism to a certain extent. In addition, there are also factional struggles within the Mohist school, which leads to the lack of a unified core theoretical system and the lack of continuous academic inheritance.
If the Mohist school had been preserved and continued to develop in China's history, the path of China's scientific and technological development might have been different. If the Mohist ideology of love and non-aggression can take root in China's society and culture, it may have a positive impact on China's scientific and technological innovation. This emphasis on cooperation and peace has the potential to promote scientific research and avoid the adverse effects of war and conflict on the development of science and technology.
The Mohist school's idea of love and love may also have had a profound impact on the moral concept and social order of ancient Chinese society. Mohists advocate interest-based humanitarianism and emphasize the common interests and well-being of all mankind, which is in line with the concept of human rights and globalization in modern society.
The concept of love advocated by the Mohist school will also help to promote international exchanges and cooperation. They advocate friendly coexistence with other countries, and this open attitude will build more bridges for exchanges between China and the rest of the world, and promote exchanges and development among civilizations.
Further, if the Mohist school of mechanics can be more widely applied and developed, China may make greater breakthroughs in the military field. Imagine if the Mohist Xuanyuan and Ballista had been continuously improved and applied, China might have had a strong military force earlier, and might have invented modern systems similar to aircraft carriers and lasers earlier. Such technological superiority could allow China to become one of the world hegemons sooner.
As an important school in the history of ancient Chinese thought, the disappearance of the Mohist school has left a certain regret. However, we can draw lessons from history, recognize the importance of peace and development, and strive to make greater contributions to future scientific and technological development and social progress.