A Brief Analysis of the Similarities and Differences of Object Metaphors in Laozi and Mozi

Although the thoughts of Taoism and Mohism are very different, it is worth noting that both Laozi and Mozi used profound metaphors of objects. Using “Laozi” and “Mozi” as texts, we can see the similarities and differences in the metaphor of “objects” between Taoism and Mohism: Laozi observed through simple philosophy and often used the natural characteristics of objects to metaphorically represent the characteristics of Taoism and the wisdom of life; Mozi, on the other hand, relied more on artisan artifacts to reflect his utilitarian and pragmatic ideas. The commonality between the two is that they both use concrete objects to make abstract ideas easier to understand. The difference lies in Laozi’s tendency to seek metaphors from nature and pursue the elevation of spiritual realm; Mozi focused on practical social objects and devoted himself to solving social problems. These differences not only highlight the ideological differences between the two, but also provide a deeper perspective for understanding ancient Chinese philosophy.