To Discuss The Paths Chosen Of Absolute Monarchy By Mozi And Han Feizi

Mo Zi and Han Feizi born in the Spring and Autumn Period, at that time, the whole nation is in the chaos caused by war and ceremony and propriety fall and social unrest. In order to solve the chaotic social situation, they both have strong sense of political responsibility and put forward their different theory to look forward to reconstruct social order. From what have been discussed we can draw a conclusion that Mo Zi and Han Feizi have so much in common in the issue of absolute monarchy although they represent different schools of thought.This issue has 3 parts to compare the thought of absolute monarchy of Mo Zi and Han Feizi. The first part discuss the thought of"Identifying with the superior"of Mo Zi and Han Feizi's new perception which derived from Shangtong Thought. Mo Zi put achieving"indiscriminate love"and"mutual benefit"as his political ideal. In essence, the thought is the thought of absolute monarchy.In comparison, Han Feizi put"Monarchial Power is the first power"as his political theory's starting and ending. His political ideal reflects thought of absolute monarchy more directly and clearly.The second part discuss the"respectable, virtue and ability thought"and Han Feizi's"law above ability and virtue thought".Mo Zi's"respectable, virtue and ability thought"break through the limit of clan and blood. Han Feizi agree with Mo Zi to break through the limit of clan and blood, but he do not identify with selecting people with ability and virtue to govern nation.Han Feizi attach more importance to people's ability than virtue.The third part discuss the way to achieve"Identifying with the superior"is rewards and punishment, snitch, punish guilty by association. Han Feizi put forward the monarchical rule method.Mo Zi and Han Feizi is same to rule nation by the way of rewards and punishments. But Mo Zi claim rewards and punishments, Han Feizi claim punishing guilty severely.In addition, Mo Zi put forward snitching and punishing guilty by association. Han Feizi accept Shang Yang's thought to make absolute monarchy thought to the utmost.From a historical perspective, Mo Zi advocates fraternity, while Han Feizi advocates ruling by law and is cruel to guilty and people violated law. He represents the old aristocratic. Through comparison, we can draw a conclusion that two of them have much in common in absolute monarchy, monarch centralization. This can help us to understand the inner link between pre-Qin thinkers'political ideas.