Mozi's Introspection of Li and Yue Tradition——Similarities and Differences in Attitude towards Li and Yue Between Confucianism and Mohism

Li(etiquette) played a significant role in traditional Chinese culture.Familiar with Confucian texts,Mozi's attitude towards Li had both similarities with and differences from Confucian's.Though not objecting to etiquette conducive to the social government,Mozi contended moderation of Li,which contained objection of Yue(music),and being moderate in funeral ceremony,etc.His theory on moderation of Li was based on introspection of Li and Yue tradition in the Western Zhou Dynasty.Despite similar introspection on reality,Confucianism and Mohism went on distinct paths in that period of social upheavals.While Confucianism tried to regain social order by reemphasizing etiquette set up in the early Western Zhou Dynasty,Mohism opposed all kinds of unnecessary and overelaborate formalities,contending moderation of Li,hoping to draw back to thrifty way of life in ancient Xia Dynasty.