Combining Confucian Classics and Political Theory: the Pragmatic Direction of Kang You-wei's Study of Mohism

When discussing learning,Kang You-wei's tended to decorate his political theory with Confucian classics.When he discussed Mozi's reform in the name of restoring an ancient system and the rivalry between Confucianism and Mohism,he always took establishing the authority of Confucius and proving the rationality for reform by commoners as his starting point.His affirmation of Mozi's chivalrous spirit and his attempts to communicate with Western learning by means of Mohism reflected the changes in the relationship between Confucianism and Mohism,and between China and the west in late Qing period.Kang's pragmatic attitude toward the placement of Mohism has had great adverse effects and his influence on the development of Mohism and the transformation of traditional Chinese learning has both positive and negative elements.