Self Cultivation:

This section of “Religion and Morality ” will describe self cultivation. In other words, what type of person would you (a member of our society) want to be? Additionally, what type of person would the state want you to be? Ideally, for us, these two ideas would be in sync. Otherwise, hostility will be prevalent between our members of society and those who run the state.

• Members of our society will be motivated to be hard-working, productive assets to the group as a whole.
• The state also has this goal in mind, in order to increase productive output and maximize economic success.
• Like Mozi states, it is important to be guided by external doctrines of what is right (yi). The application of these doctrines will be left to the individual to decide.
• Our society will be driven to be this hard-working individual, in addition to being law-abiding, and partake in universal caring through the implementation of a rewards based system (see Politics for more details).
• Every job well done will be met with positive reinforcement in order to persuade this hard-working attitude.
• Additionally, the vague religious association of our society will also help to steer them in the right direction.  Although religion will not be used to control the daily acts of life, it is used for basic moral direction.
• In order to convey our religious message in a way that is understood by all, we will use mostly Mohist logic as well as the rare reference to the Sage Kings or other Classics.
• Therefore each person at Vice City will have no problem reaching their utmost potential as they will be rewarded for all efforts made.

1. In quoting the book of Zhou, Zhuangzi would state “Be cautious! Be watchful! Misfortune will surely befall all those who kill the innocent, and they will suffer the punishments of ghosts and spirits in this swift fashion!” (Mozi, 92). Although these words would not be said in such a strict nor direct manner, this basic religious idea of consequences and rewards would in turn guide citizens along the right path by turning to the classics as example.

2.  Mozi states that “…from the average person to nobles alike, all say that the sage-kings of the three dynasties, or they together with Yao and Shun, are adequate models of conduct. And so if we assume that the three sage-kings of ancient times, or they together with Yao and Shun, are adequate mod- els, then why don’t we consider the actions of the former sage-kings?” (Mozi, 96).  

3.  Mozi states “the business of a benevolent person is to promote what is beneficial to the world and eliminate what is harmful.” (Mozi, 63). This quote explains our desire for all residents to promote a common goal of both “goodness” and “efficiency”.