Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsün Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu by Burton Watson


Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsün Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu
Title : Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsün Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0231025157
ISBN-10 : 9780231025157
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 480
Publication : First published April 15, 1967

Mo Tzu, Hsün Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu were three of the most important philosophers in ancient China. This collection of their basic writings points to three very different positions within in the spectrum of Chinese thought and reveals the diversity of of the Chinese intellectual tradition. Presenting the principle doctrines of Mo Tzu (470-391 B.C.) and his followers, early rivals of the Confucian school, this section includes writings on music, fatalism, Confucians, and "universal love" - the cornerstone of Mohist philosophy.

Hsün Tzu (born ca. 312 B.C.) provided the dominant philosophical system of his day. Although basically Confucian, he differed with Mencius by asserting that the original nature of man is evil, and also expounded on such subjects as good government, military affairs, Heaven, and music.

Representative of the Fachia, or Legalist, school of philosophy, the writings of Han Fei Tzu (280 233 B.C.) confront the issues of preserving and strengthening the state through strict laws of punishment and reward. His lessons remain timely as scholars continue to examine the nature and use of power.

Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsün Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu Reviews

  • John Redmon

    Great translation, and an excellent compilation of three main ancient Chinese philosophers.

  • Avery

    This is a good translation of some odd Chinese philosophers of the ages of Mencius and the Qin. Mozi, described by Oswald Spengler as a "socialist", has an oddly autistic worldview which absolutizes some elements and demands the elimination of others. Xunzi is a pessimistic Confucian who believes that rituals make us human and without rituals we would revert to animality; I cannot help but have some sympathy for his views. Han Fei, the only actual prince among the Chinese philosophers, is a distrustful Machiavelli constantly seeing the seeds of treason and assassination around him. Burton Watson pulls no punches and gives us the real flavor of the philosophers with carefully chosen excerpts.