Interstate Relational Ethics: Mengzi and Later Mohists in Dialogue

The popular interpretation holds that Mengzi was strongly critical of Mozi because the Mohist moral theory antithetical to Confucian relational ethics. According this interpretation, Mohism promotes norm “impartiality” or “impartial care”, which violates norms “filial piety” and “graded love”. Accordingly, thought ideal would not be realized if continued prevail. Scholars have tried nuance revise dominant interpretation. For example, some pointed out importance family-oriented values in ethical theory, arguing likely misunderstood purposefully mispresented Mohism. This article is an initial attempt modify by debate between regarding ethics predominantly about relations states rather than individuals. sheds light on a core difference theories can help make better sense later passages.