Abstract

This article examines the usage of zhou 周 in the Book of Mozi 墨子 and its interpretations in Classical Chinese, arguing that zhou functions as a universal quantifier when placed before verb–object constructions. We contend that the concluding statement “yi zhou er yi bu zhou” 一周而一不周 clarifies the validity of the case “shi er ran” 是而然 and the invalidity of “shi er bu ran” 是而不然 by using zhou as a summary term referring to previous discussions. Our analysis of zhou as a universal quantifier and you 有 as an existential quantifier provides a foundation for employing the monotonicity reasoning approach to study mou 侔 reasoning. This insight may shed light on other reasoning patterns in Mohist logic and beyond.