묵가 겸애(兼愛)의 원리와 실천

Abstract

In this paper, the logical foundation of Mozi's idea of Jianai was examined, and its characteristics and practical aspects were investigated as compared particularly with Confucianism among the hundred schools. Mozi's “Jianai” refers to each individual's mutual interest and consideration in groups and the society, and the universal love that "loves others as one loves oneself" unrelated to whether one has blood ties or intimacy or not and irrespective of rank, and its biggest feature is the utilitarian love that “benefits one another.” In addition, Mozi aimed to achieve peace in families, groups, the society and the nation as the practical goal of love. In a theoretical aspect, Jianai advocated by Mozi had its own historical values compared to the ideologies of other schools during the same era. It argued that the discriminative love represented by Confucianism should be broken down, promoted universal love without discrimination, and established a utilitarian ideological system for the first time in China while recognizing mutual independence. Without the universal love, universal advantages can never be realized, and even local love in a family group and each country is impossible. In this respect, Jianai is worthy of appreciation even today. Yet, Mozi's idea of love and peace couldn't be fulfilled under the social background of those days. In brief, Mozi's ideal of “Jianai” began from severe criticism of the reality, but the continuous foundation to make it come true couldn't be found, and it ended up in a utopian idea. The ideology of love and peace pursued by Mozi is probably possible only by “the saving grace of god.”