Teaching with filial piety: a study of the filial piety thought of confucianism

Abstract

Filial piety is a fundamental moral value in Chinese culture and has played a significant role in Chinese history. Its origins can be traced back to the pre-Qin period, where it developed during the Xia and Shang dynasties, and flourished in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Confucius, the renowned philosopher and educator, first introduced the concept of filial piety in Confucianism. He combined it with the idea of “Ren” and specified the essential elements of filial piety. Mencius, one of Confucius’ most prominent disciples, continued to develop the concept of filial piety by integrating it with other theories such as “the theory of good nature” and “the kingly way politics.” He also introduced the criterion of “unfiliality”, which further enriched the understanding of filial piety. This paper analyzes the evolution and influence of filial piety by examining the thoughts of pre-Qin Confucian scholars. It also discusses the role and significance of filial piety in contemporary society. Given the lack of archaeological evidence, it is important to avoid mentioning the disputed existence of the Xia dynasty in the abstract.