Mozi c. 470 BC – c. 391 BC

Mozi, also known as Mo Di or Master Mo, was a Chinese philosopher of the 5th century BC, founder of the Mohist school of philosophy, the major rival of early Confucianism during the Warring States period. His teaching, recorded in the book that bears his name, defended the doctrine of impartial care, holding that one should care for all people equally and without partiality, against the Confucian emphasis on differentiated duties to family and rulers. He developed influential arguments against offensive war, against ritual extravagance, and in favour of meritocratic political appointment. He and his school made early contributions to logic, optics, mechanics, and military engineering, and trained disciplined communities of students who lived austere lives under the direction of a school head. Mohism declined sharply after the Qin unification and was rediscovered as a major Chinese philosophical tradition in the 19th century.