Compare And Contrast Mo Tzu And Leo Tolstoy

Both Leo Tolstoy and Mo Tzu were concerned about the purpose of artistic expression as well as its usefulness in society. They both opposed art that could only be appreciated by the elite class of society but could not have the same effect on those in the lower classes. However, they both take a different view on the significance of art in society and its usefulness altogether. Tolstoy states in, What Is Art?, that art that can only be admired by the social elite and not by the masses is simply bad art or not art at all, not because the lower classes are incapable of understanding it or are lesser beings than those that are wealthy, but because in order for art to be considered great it has to be appreciated by all people. In Mo Tzu’s, Against
Music, he argues that music and similar artistic expressions should be completely discarded from society. He stated that music distracts people from their more pertinent tasks; and those that did indulge in such luxuries often procured them through the labor of others. Both Tolstoy’s and Tzu’s points of view reflect the times in which they lived. Tzu lived in ancient times where every minute had to be dedicated to survival, not leisure; however, Tolstoy lived in a time where survival was not under constant threat and so all people had the ability and right to enjoy artistic expressions.