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The Idea of Providence of Mozi:

To Compare with John Calvin’s Theology of Providence

Who is Mozi?

Question

About Him

Mozi, born in 476 BC, is almost coetaneous with the prophet Zechariah in the post-exile period. He is a Chinese philosopher who founded the school of Mohism during the Hundred Schools of Thought period (early portion of the Warring States period of c.475–221 BC). The ancient text Mozi contains material ascribed to him and his followers.

Mozi taught that everyone is equal in the eyes of 'God'. He believed that those in power should be based on meritocracy, or those who are worthy of power should receive power. Mozi invokes God and calls on the Sage Kings to support his precedents.

Mozi is such a brilliant sceientist in ancient China: he made significant contributions in mechanics, geometry, algebra, optics, etc.

His Works

His Works

Mainly focus on

1. Will of God:

(1) Righteousness must originate from God

(2) The Will of God is like the compasses to the wheelwright and the square to

the carpenter--the ultimate standard of righteousness in the world

(3) God loves the world

2. Universal Love: non-hierarchical love (against Confucianism)

3. Anti-Confuciusnism

4. Anti-Fatalism: (against Confucianism)

5. On Ghost and Spirits: (against Confucianism)

6. Identification with the Superior: (1) governance (2) the hidden eschatological hope

7. Esteem for Righteousness...etc

Will of God

Will of God

The introduction given by Mozi in Will of God,

‘If one should offend the patriarch of the family, there are still the homes of the neighbours in which to seek shelter...For, how can one offend the patriarch and stay in the family still? ...If one should offend the lord of the state there are still the neighbouring states whither he may flee... From these there are yet shelters to flee to, yet there are such constant counsels. Should there not be more counsels in a case from which there is nowhere to flee? As the saying goes: "Sinning in broad daylight, whither can one flee?" Really there is nowhere to flee. For, God clearly discerns it even if it be in the woods, valleys, or solitary caves where there is no man. But, contrary to our expectation, regarding God, the gentlemen of the world do not understand mutually to give counsel.’

—Mozi, Will of God I, 1.

The Submission of Human Free Will

Now, what does God desire and what does he abominate?

God desires righteousness and abominates unrighteousness...

Therefore, in leading the people in the world to engage in doing righteousness I should be doing what God desires.

--Mozi, Will of God I, 2

Example

Dialogues

Now God loves the whole world (universally). Everything is prepared for the good of man. Even the tip of a hair is the work of God. Substantial may be said of the benefits that are enjoyed by man.

--Mozi, Will of God I, 2.

John Calvin, Institute

CHAPTER XVI God By His Power Nourishes And Maintains The World Created By Him, And Rules Its Several Parts By His Providence

1. Creation and providence inseparably joined

6. God’s providence especially relates to men

Moreover I know God loves men dearly not without reason. God ordered the sun, the moon, and the stars to enlighten and guide them. God ordained the four seasons, Spring, Autumn, Winter, and Summer, to regulate them. God sent down snow, frost, rain, and dew to grow the five grains and flax and silk that so the people could use and enjoy them. God established the hills and rivers, ravines and valleys, and arranged many things to minister men to grant blessing or punishment. He appointed the dukes and lords to reward the virtuous and punish the wicked, and to gather metal and wood, birds and beasts, and to engage in cultivating the five grains and flax and silk to provide for the people's food and clothing. This has been taking from antiquity to the present. (Suppose there is a man who is deeply fond of his son and has used his energy to the limit to work for his benefit. But when the son grows up he returns no love to the father. The gentlemen of the world will all call him unmagnanimous and miserable.) Now God loves the whole world universally. Everything is prepared for the good of man. The work of God extends to even the smallest things that are enjoyed by man. -- Mozi, Will of God II, 6.

John Calvin

3. God’s providence governs all

Potential

Discussions

Mozi said: 'Whoever orders his people to identify/follow themselves (with) their superior must love them dearly. For the people will not obey orders except when they are ordered with love and held in confidence...'

Finally, '[the emperor] son of God himself shall identify with/follow God.'

--Mozi, Identification with the Superior I, II & III

Calvin: 8. The doctrine of providence is no Stoic belief in fate!

Anti-Fatalism

Mozi said: At present, in governing the states the rulers all desire to have their countries wealthy, their population large, and their administration orderly. But instead of wealth they obtain poverty, instead of an increase they obtain a decrease in population, instead of order they obtain chaos...What is the reason for this?

Mozi said: 'It is due to the large number of fatalists among the people. The fatalists say: "When fate decrees that a man shall be wealthy he will be wealthy; when it decrees poverty, he will be poor..." With this doctrine the rulers are urged above and the people are kept away from their work below. Hence the fatalists are inhuman. And their doctrines must be clearly examined.

--Mozi, Anti-fatalism II, 1.

Some Other

Discussions from Mozi

discussion

(1) 'So I know God gives the standard/order to the emperor.'

(2) 'So, then, righteousness must originate with God...'

(3) 'So, the honoured and the rich cannot but obey the will of God.

He who obeys the will of God, loving universally and benefiting others, will obtain rewards. He who opposes the will of God, by being partial and unfriendly and harming others, will incur punishment.'

(4) some significant examples in the ancient Chinese history were given: Yu, Tang, Wen, and Wu vs. Jie, Zhou, You, and Li...

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