“Filial Piety” in Confucius’ Philosophy: A Foundational Element of Personal, Family, and Social Ethics

Abstract

This article examines Confucius’ conception of filial piety (đạo hiếu), with its fundamental aspects including reverence and support for parents, proper burial according to ritual, obedience to parents, preservation of one’s body, and continuation of ancestral lineage. The study affirms that filial piety is the core concept of Confucianism and is considered the foundation of personal ethics, family ethics, and social ethics. The analysis clarifies that filial piety is not only limited to respect and care for one’s parents but is also extended into a principle for building a harmonious social order. By considering filial piety from philosophical, political, and social perspectives, the article contributes to affirming the value of Confucianism and explains why filial piety became a core value promoted and widely applied by the imperial courts of ancient China.