Only Mohism, whether as a theory or as an organization, vanished into thin air and disappeared into the long river of history after its glory. As a long-term and universal historical fact, the demise of Mohism is probably not an accidental fate. Just, what is the reason?
Mohism is different from Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and Legalism. It not only has a set of theories, but also has its own organization. In this respect, it is similar to Taoism as a religion in the later period and Buddhism introduced to China in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Mr. Hu Shi even directly regarded Mohism as a religion, so we might as well compare Mohism with Buddhism.
As far as external factors are concerned, the historical environment in which a hundred schools of thought contend and Confucianism is the only one may be the important reason for the demise of Mohism. But it can't be the highest Taoism in the temple (except for a few periods). It didn't die out like Mohism, but developed among the people, deeply affecting the bottom folk culture of the Chinese nation.
In addition to the external causes, the demise of Mohism probably has its internal causes: if a person wants to be a loyal believer of Mohism, he must have a strong spirit of sacrifice and dedication, must be able to endure the hardships of life, must have love for everyone, and cannot talk about personal feelings ... Mohism hopes that everyone can become a noble person and a pure person.
In contrast, being a Taoist disciple seems to be much happier. The goal of Taoist practice is not to die in the afterlife, but to become immortal in this life. Therefore, Taoism, especially the orthodox school with a long history, does not have many abstinence rules, and the art of sexual intercourse is even a mysticism.
Why do Mohism and Buddhism advocate abstinence, but their fate is different? The answer can be found in the difference between the two: Mohism is only secularism, while Buddhism is a natural religion. Buddhism, as an innate religion, can provide believers with a set of methods of soul redemption, so that they can get spiritual satisfaction while abstinence, and all sufferings can be regarded as a raft leading to happiness. It is precisely because of this "chicken soup for the soul" that devout Buddhist disciples can pursue metaphysical Zen regardless of metaphysical hardships.
The theoretical system of Mohism is essentially secular: universal love, non-aggression, Shang Xian, Shang Tong, non-fate, non-happiness, frugality, frugality ... these are purely secular theories. The only mysterious view in Mohist thought is to believe in ghosts and gods and to persuade the good, but this is not enough to change the highly secular color of the whole Mohist ideological system and become the basis of Mohist disciples' soul belief. And if it is not based on firm beliefs, abstinence and selfless behavior will not have universal and long-term appeal.
In a word, if a kind of learning wants to become a widely accepted and prominent learning, it must have something that can attract believers. This kind of thing can be both a metaphysical material incentive and a metaphysical spiritual comfort. Mohism, on the other hand, can't provide these two things. In the end, it can only be "no words, not far away." If Mohism wants to live forever, it must abandon secularism and asceticism, and use utilitarian secularism (like most secularism) or mystical asceticism (like most religious theories) to avoid ruin.
In addition, there is another reason for the demise of Mohism: under the unified monarchy system, a secular organization with strict internal discipline will inevitably make the court extremely wary. Absolute monarchs are bound to be wary of all secular organizations. The reason why nepotism is a felony lies in nepotism, not nepotism. Of course, it is impossible to "seek personal gain by the party", and "seek public gain by the party" has ulterior motives.
However, although Mohism has become a distant masterpiece, its thoughts still shine brilliantly. If we can return to the original and bring forth the new, Mohism may not benefit today.
Some people's analysis of reality is often based on wrong experiences and theories, which are often based on wrong historical views and historical materials. To understand reality, we must understand history, but history is not what we know: we can understand an absolutely true history. The truth of history is relative (of course, we cannot fall into the trap of absolute relativism). History is a three-pole system, yes. Due to the limitation of human and material conditions, it is impossible to reconstruct the true historical truth. As the cognitive subject of history, people have their own subjective will, interest-driven or prejudice; As an intermediary for people to know history, historical materials may also be incomplete and have poor authenticity. Can we say that under such an unchangeable condition, the history we know now is the real history? In China, history has become a tool, and history is a little girl who can dress up. Of course, historical nihilism is also wrong, and the truth of historical truth is relative, but if the relative truth is regarded as absolute truth as the basis for judging the historical development process, an absurd conclusion will be drawn!
Some histories are often edited according to a preset truth, that is to say, these histories are not the truth of history, but a vassal of ideas and values; These historical statements may be true, but we can't say that this is history! Because history is impossible to reproduce, even if it is true, it is only a part of the whole history. A historian once said that history only records the facts that we think are valuable. And those facts that we think are worthless are often not recorded, but handed down in the form of entities or in other ways. In the study of history, scholars always avoid being bound by existing ideas to study history in order to reflect it as much as possible. Replacing the whole truth of history with partial truth is also the most despicable means to tamper with history. We are often cheated in life, but we don't know that we have been cheated by a liar who tells the truth. Although what liars say is true, liars use truth to create a false fact (this is much better than those liars who are full of lies or liars who cover up a lie with nine truths). Generally speaking, our understanding of Japanese and China history is not distorted too much, but disguised too much. If we compare the historical relationship between China and Russia, and then look at the history of killing Han people in the Yuan Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, you will understand. The same unforgivable evil, Japan's evil, we are very clear, but what about Russia?
I am also a beginner in history, and I don't know much about history. I've also taken some detours. I used to like reading some historical biographies and war records. I don't like biographies and historical novels because I don't think it's true. But later I found myself making the same mistakes as those who like reading biographies and historical novels. If you are only interested in history, it may be the best choice to read biographies and historical novels as a kind of knowledge and a cultural pastime. However, if you persist in history, take history as your occupation, or learn from history, or respect the sense of belonging in history, it is not enough to just look at some historical materials, but also to start with historical theory and conduct professional historical study. Don't think that you can understand history by reading basic historical biographies, biographies and historical records. Learning history should start with theories, and the basis of these theories can often rise to philosophy, and the basis of philosophy is often related to one's beliefs. I used to look for some history books on my own interest, completely unaware of the purpose and essence of history. Later, I came into contact with more information and ideas, and I doubted the correctness of the original knowledge and ideas, because the original knowledge system and ideological system simply could not stand the question of professional historical theory and philosophical theory.
In the process of studying history, I and many people who study history have deeply realized that history is a discipline of seeking truth, and truth is the lifeline and soul of history. Without truth, history will become an ordinary art (in Europe, history was a rhetoric before it became an independent discipline). For the sake of truth, historians do not hesitate to pay their lives. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there were many regicide incidents in Lu. A historian of Lu and his two younger brothers were killed because of faithful records, but Confucius, who was revered as a saint, dared not mention it. Maintaining the soul of history comes at a price, and not many people are willing to make such sacrifices. Therefore, the soul of history often sticks to dust. We can't regard dusty history as real history, but rely on our own knowledge, talents, methods and efforts to erase the dust of history.
Ask for adoption.