Table 2:  Contrasts in Ethical Structures, Analects & Mozi


MOHISTS   CONFUCIANS

 

yi
righteousness
(reduces to universality)

 

 

guiding imperatives

 

 

ren
holistic virtue

 

 

act to
maximize utility
(cognitive calculation)

 

rules of thumb

 

reciprocity
(Golden Rule in roles)
(enacted skill)

 

 

obedience to Tian
(accord with standard)

 

application strategies

 

study / self-cultivation
(change: “small person” → junzi)

 

 

Ethics of Action 

match actions to explicit prescripts

 

ethical structures

 

Ethics of Virtue 

emulate exemplary role actors until skilled

 

 

link to Tian in present;

Tian/King linked;

King’s authority;

? no moral autonomy ?

? Reason → autonomy ?

 

authority vs. moral autonomy

 

(chief) link to Tian in past;

Wen (li) / Sage as authority;

autonomy earned through mastery