This concept is advocated by the Mohist school active during the Warring States Period. Mozi (468?-376 BC) believes a ruler should promote all that is beneficial, and eliminate all that is harmful. He stood in opposition to the Confucian idea of ruling a country through ritual propriety, and held that the ruling class’ abandonment to pleasure and neglect of state business was bringing great harm to society. According to him, the manufacture of musical instruments involves extracting much wealth from ordinary people, yet instruments thus produced cannot be used by them or serve to relieve their suffering. Music itself also hinders normal productive activities, as once people become obsessed with music, they may ignore their proper duties. Therefore, Mozi proposed that music should be banned. From the perspective of societal benefit, he opposed the Confucian idea of educating the masses through music. This argument is not without merit, but shows an element of over-correction, which manifests a narrow utilitarian view of arts and literature.

Extracting wealth from the common folk to craft instruments such as chimes, drums, zithers and pipes serves no conceivable good, even if its original purpose is to promote the beneficial and eliminate the harmful. Therefore Mozi said: “Propagating music is pernicious! Mozi

The nobility of today have already gone too far in seizing food, clothing and other items from ordinary people for the sake of making music. Therefore Mozi said: “Propagating music is pernicious!” Mozi