The Birth of Confucianism from Competition with Organized Mohism (original) (raw)

This paper explores the historical development of Confucianism, primarily in relation to the organized Mohist school during the Warring States period in ancient China. It critically examines the classification of philosophical schools and argues against the anachronistic application of the term 'Confucianism' to pre-Han China, suggesting that earlier practitioners aligned with Confucius should not be strictly labeled as Confucians but rather as 'classicists.' The paper aims to clarify the distinctions among various strands of thought within this complex historical context.