On the Argument for Jian'ai

Abstract

In all three versions of the "Jian'ai" Chapter in the Mozi, variations of a central argument may be found. This argument proceeds by advancing a diagnosis for what causes the various evils that beset the world, and it is on this basis that the Mohists propose jian'ai as the solution. The study examines this main argument in some detail, with the aim of improving both our understanding of the Mohist ethical doctrine and also our appreciation of their argumentative practices. The study shows that distinct ethical injunctions of varying degrees of stringency can be derived from the argument, though they all embody an underlying notion of impartiality. This impartiality-while in many ways recognizably attractive to us-puts Mohist jian'ai in tension with certain notions regarding the ethical significance of special relations. In addition, the paper argues that the Mohists main argument for jian'ai contains a critical flaw. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.