Judging from the classic thoughts of hundred schools of thought in the pre-Qin period, Mohist advocates the application of science and technology, emphasizes the practical function of utensils, and rejects any decorative functional components that "increase the cost without enriching". All kinds of ceramic objects should be simple, plain, simple, clean and even monotonous, boring and repetitive, which is what Mohism thinks is "good". Applying Mohist pragmatism and pure absolute egalitarianism to the behavior of ceramic utensils and finished products is a typical Mohist thought and the basis for its inheritance.

Confucianism advocates etiquette and pays attention to "benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and faith". Therefore, the standard of ceramic utensils is to see whether it can show the value of "etiquette". Official or folk ritual vessels used in New Year's festivals and celebrations or funerary vessels used in tombs are considered reasonable, reflecting the hierarchical concept of the ruling class and the wisdom and skills of folk craftsmen, and even praising all kinds of cumbersome decorative patterns and details that have no practical function, as well as luxurious ceramic vessels that can be perfect. In addition, the "Wen Ya" mentioned by Confucius not only shows the inner peace and simplicity of the gentleman and the unity and harmony of the external image, but also emphasizes the standards of ceramic creation in the manufacture, appreciation, exchange and collection of ceramic objects. In other words, only when the ceramic ware shows the "inferior quality" such as natural texture, external modeling, color and texture, the aesthetic characteristics such as craftsmanship, creative thinking, unique craftsmanship, both form and spirit, and the multiple "qualities" of "superior quality" such as rank identity, family background, religious belief, economic strength and military strength, combined with all possible decoration.

Taoism, represented by Laozi and Zhuangzi, advocates the theory of "inaction" and "emptiness", and holds that the flow of objects such as the wall, bottom and cover of pottery pots is not the purpose and value of creation, but the ultimate meaning really brought to the users of utensils is "the space surrounded by pottery pots", which provides a basis for the preservation of wine, drinking and food. The same is true of architecture. Tangible objects such as walls, floors and roofs are not the fundamental purpose of architectural creation, and only the "space" surrounded by buildings is truly used by people. The location, size, shape, temperature, humidity and brightness of this "space" are the original value carriers of architecture as things created by human beings. Taoism emphasizes the role of "impairment", and holds that human beings can achieve the goal of survival and development only by using things provided by nature without even making utensils. Of course, this kind of humanistic nihilism is not entirely desirable. Taoism's idea of "loss" in the field of ceramic utensils should not make people give up ceramic creation activities and smash existing utensils before burying these handmade objects. Instead, on the basis of returning to the pure ideal of nature, we should educate ceramic manufacturers and users to respect the power of nature, use natural raw materials, maintain ecological balance, respect environmental constraints and maintain the primitiveness of resources. This ideal of creation is just in line with the ecology and environment facing all mankind at present.