YANG CHU (c. 395-335 BCE)
Early Chinese naive materialist philosopher, who severely
criticized religious views and the belief in immortality in particular. He urged people to enjoy
their lives and not worry about what will happen after death. He took a rather fatalistic view
about nature and society. In ethics he emphasized that people should work toward the greatest
satisfaction of their needs and wishes, but focused more on individual satisfaction than the
satisfaction of collective interests. However, his individualism was in reaction to the
reactionary Confucianism of his time which led to the differing
social gradation of people.
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