«Homogeneity of Benefit and Righteousness»in Mohism and its Modern Value

The debate between righteousness and benefit, which originated in the pre-Qin period, is one of the theoretical sources of traditional moral culture. «Righteousness is the benefit brought to the people» [Mozi¹, 2006: 317], which is the cornerstone of Mozi’s theory, and is a major proposition of his ethical system of «Universal Love, mutual benefit» [Mozi, 2006: 203]. From Confucianism’s «Value righteousness and belittle profit» to Mohism’s «Homogeneity of benefit and righteousness», a significant change has taken place. Mozi’s view of human interests is neither «Selflessness» nor «Profit at another’s expense» [Mozi, Mozi, 2006: 143], but rather aims at «Benefit to the state and the people» [Mozi, 2006: 273]. At a time when a socialist market economy and a society based on the rule of law are being built, the reinterpretation of «Righteousness is the benefit brought to the people» [Mozi, 2006: 317] is of both theoretical and practical significance to the critical inheritance of traditional moral culture. It has both theoretical and practical implications.