The Book of Master Mo

This edition is excellent. I have the earlier larger hard cover, which is great because it has more exhaustive commentary and the Chinese characters, but that version is so large and unwieldy that the pages are starting to come out. This is a standard sized paperback that you can carry around and read wherever you are. Johnston has made minor changes to the translation and included some very interesting end notes. I'm trying to discern what Mohist doctrines actually were, which isn't as simple as you might think. It's kind of a fun puzzle. For example, meritocracy is to be used to motivate those with needed skills (who are also ren and yi) but all forms of luxury are condemned in various ways: so what rewards are those being motivated supposed to take? For figuring out stuff like this you have to flip back and forth and look at the various statements, and for that the paperback is much more manageable.

He is different from Confucius and Mencius, but, very worthy.

This is a full translation of the Mo-tzu by Ian Johnston. The text is clearly presented with an admirable consistency in the translation of key terms making it a useful philosophical resource. Ian Johnston also provides a brief introduction, a decent bibliography and in-text commentary for the more difficult and obscure passages. Both he and Penguin Classics should be applauded for having made this all too elusive text available at a reasonable price to amateur enthusiasts of ancient Chinese philosophy.

For those seeking an understanding of Chinese philosophy, the Chinese legalist tradition or the myriad of texts and customs that make up the Chinese mindset, one may wonder whether it is worth reading one of the least influential texts? While The Book of Master Mo has a rocky history, been suppressed by China’s First Emperor and only brought back to prominence in the early part of China’s last dynasty, the Qing, when reading Mozi one will see that China does have a history of analytical inquiry, and The Book of Master Mo is just such a work of analytical inquiry. As a relatively new translation, the work is considerably more readable than other works on Chinese philosophy in the classics section, and as such is more digestable. From reading the Mozi, one is immersed in a work of Epistemology and analytical inquiry, that challenged the Confucian thinking of the time. Mozi rails against nepotism and calls for essentially an impartial view of the world. A good example is within the latter dialogues, when he speaks to a student of following a proverb of Confucius, he is questioned on such a notion as he is a noted anti-Confucian. Mozi responds with the analogy of birds or fish. Although humans are more inteligent than lower animals, birds and fish are at least able to sense environmental changes, so in such respects is it wrong to follow them? The parts most worthy of reading are core doctrines and the much shorter dialogues. The Dialectical Chapters are rather tiresome and of very little value to those who have a basic understanding of physics or basic phenomonology.The final section, The Defence of a City is certainly no Art of War. There is little of strategic value for any 21st Century strategist as it focuses entirely on practical defense of a 4th Century BC City, with all the tools of the time. There is little in the way of strategy, and much in the way of meting out of Draconian punishments for any ill discipline or simple mistakes. This, along with the Dialectical Chapters, can be largely skim read.However, the Core Doctrines and Dialogues are an absolute gem for those wishing to understand Chinese thinking, particularly Chinese thinking outside of the rather narrow prism of the Confucian Canon.On all, The Book of Master Mo is an excellent, modern translation, and a worthy addition to anyone wishing to expand their understanding of Chinese philosophy.

This is a classic text of Chinese consequentialist philosophy. Mo was once a major philosopher, comparable to Confucius or the Taoists and, for some time, his system competed advantageously with Confucianism and Taoism.In the book, Mo treats a wide variety of topics, mainly related to moral and politics, but also defensive warfare. Mo defended an equitable approach to politics, based on mutual aid and respect, and avoiding aggressive action. Indeed, Moists became popular experts in defensive warfare. Moism has a stoic, austere approach to ethics, moral, politics and life.Personally, I find this approach generally reasonable and well exposed, although, from a modern point of view, one would be tempted to question some points, but... we're talking a book 2500 years old!The translation is rather good in general, although I suspect that it might be rendered more readable (possibly at the cost of not following so linearly the original text). All in all, I think I appreciate the effort in keeping the original structure, even if it sounds at times somewhat rough.I miss some additional explanations of terms or concepts here and there, as footnotes, but it was clear from the description that this edition, while containing the full, unabridged text, does not contain the full comments of the extended edition by the author, so no complain here.This said, I think it is an excellent book to read if you are inclined to philosophy, ethics. ancient political/moral systems, or if you want to better understand the Chinese culture. The only reason I don't give it a 5 starts rating is because I think it should be reserved for the more extensively annotated translation (which, BTW seems to be now only available at a huge price).

Worth reading. BUT, not really a source of Eastern wisdom, it is flawed intellectually. But, worth a read if you are interested in Chinese thought. If you are searching for enlightenment, seek elsewhere.

Great product, thanks.