Why did Mozi criticize the Confucian idea of ren?

Mozi, the founder of Mohism, criticized the Confucian concept of ren primarily because he viewed it as inherently hierarchical and partial. While Confucians emphasized ren as a virtue rooted in family relationships—prioritizing special love for one's parents and kin—Mozi argued that this approach fostered selfishness and social division.123

In contrast to the Confucian model, Mozi advocated for jianai, or "universal love," which demanded that all people be treated with equal concern, regardless of their familial or social status. Mozi believed that the Confucian emphasis on differentiated love undermined the potential for global peace and social harmony. Furthermore, he criticized the Confucian reliance on elaborate rituals and ceremonies associated with ren as a wasteful use of government resources that failed to address the practical needs of the common people. By promoting a more utilitarian and egalitarian philosophy, Mozi sought to replace what he perceived as the elitist and burdensome nature of Confucian ethics with a system based on impartial, universal care.2341