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Essay Outline
Introduction: Filial piety (孝 xiào), a foundational virtue within the Confucian ethical tradition, was originally
written by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. As a teacher, Confucius instructed the young in ideals that were
different from those of the world around them. Confucianism (one of the most influential philosophies in Chinese
history) revolves around main concepts such as family, humanity, ethical cultivations, traditions, and rituals, that
have been passed down through generations. Confucian family values regarding filial piety, family harmony, and
gender roles have influenced both ancient and modern Chinese family values, ethics and morals. Thesis Statement:
In this essay, I will discuss the enormous role that filial piety plays in shaping the ethos of Confucianism by
upholding peace and respect within families, maintaining moral order in societies, as well as teaching individuals to
be loving and affectionate; benefitting all individuals.
I. First key point: In Confucianism, filial piety promotes harmonious relations in households by upholding peace
and respect within family members.
A. Sub-point: Discuss how the concept of filial piety revolves around goodness in familial relationships. It
consists of reverent, sincere, self-sacrificing, and unconditional care for one’s parents while they are alive
and also after their death.
- Evidence: “In family life, the relationships between father and son, between husband and wife,
and between brothers and sisters are all based on the central concept of filial piety” (Yu-Wei 1959,
p.1). Family cohesiveness provides a firm foundation on which societies can build. - Evidence: Filial piety is a “root of perfect goodness,” so that once “the root is well
established, the Way will flourish” (Confucius 1971, 1.2). As a root, filial piety sets the attitudinal
and characteristic patterns of an individual as applied towards familial relationships. Confucianism
places an emphasis on treating each other with compassion. - Evidence: “Filial piety prescribes the ideology of devotion by the grateful child to the parent,
and also places debt and obligation at the heart of the discourse on parent-child relationships”
(Ikels 2004, p.182). Parents have spent time raising their children, thus, children should do their
duty to be grateful to their parents by being there for their parents in return. - Evidence: In the Confucian Analects, it was written, “The Master said, ‘A youth, when at home,
should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should
overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good” (Confucius 1826, 12). In order for
a harmonious society to exist, children must practice filial piety by being respectful to their elders.
II. Second key point: Filial piety is observed as the central component of maintaining moral order in Confucian
societies based on political authority in relationships.
A. Sub-point: The concept of filial piety had obtained a sacred dimension as it was considered the main
guarantee for maintaining a well-ordered family, a well ordered state, and a well-ordered world. - Evidence: The “Zhongxiao 忠孝” (“Loyalty and Filial Piety”) chapter of the Hanfeizi 韓⾮⼦
states, “Ministers serve rulers, sons serve fathers, and wives serve husbands; if these three
relationships are followed, the world will be in order; if they are disobeyed, the world will be
in disorder. This is the constant way of all under heaven, which neither a wise king nor a worthy
minister dares to change” (Chen 2000). From this, it can be observed that giving authority to the
head of a family contributes to social order. Confucianism was therefore a belief system that was
distinctly political, focused on maintaining order in relationships at many levels. - Evidence: In the second passage in the Analects, the disciple You Ruo 有若 says, “a person
who behaves with filial piety to parents and siblings (xiao and di 弟), and who avoids going
against superiors, will rarely disorder society” (Confucius 1971, 1.2). Family ethics are important
to keep social order indicating that filial piety is the main step to take in maintaining order in the
family system. - Evidence: According to Confucius in The Classic of Filial Piety, “Filial piety is the constant of
Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the practical duty of Man” (Confucius 1826, 7). It is
RELS 131 Essay Outline
observed that filial piety is the vital connection between man, Heaven, and Earth, thus, necessary
to maintain order not just in Confucius societies, but in the universe.
III. Third key point: In Confucianism, an emphasis is placed on teaching individuals to act with love and affection
based on the concept of filial piety.
A. Sub-point: Motivated by affection, the carrying out of filial piety can be observed when children return
the care they received from their parents. - Evidence: The Classic of Filial Piety ( Xiào Jìng) states, “for teaching people love and
affection, nothing is better than filial piety” (Confucius 1826, 12). This point directly shows the
influence of filial piety in teaching individuals to be loving and affectionate. - Evidence: “Ziyou asked about filial piety. The Master said, “Nowadays ‘filial’ means simply
being able to provide one’s parents with nourishment. But even dogs and horses are provided with
nourishment. If you are not respectful, wherein lies the difference?” (Confucius 1971, 2.7). Filial
piety teaches children to act out of loving, affectionate, and respectful motivations in order to
express concern for those who have nurtured and cared them most of their lives. - Evidence: According to Confucius, “If filial children hold deep love for their parents, they
will hold amiable manner; if they hold amiable manner, they should hold happy appearance;
if they hold happy appearance, they hold tortuous appearance” (Confucius 1971, 2.7). Filial piety
is grounded in the love and care that children have for their parents.
Conclusion: In Confucianism, family plays an important role in the culture, with the entire society following an
intricate system of authority, also known as filial piety. These ethics created by Confucius not only have become a
respected pillar in Chinese society, but it has also spread all over Asia. The family-centered normative ideal,
emphasis on the duties attached to one’s role, and the social expectation of gratitude, are all deeply entrenched
elements of Confucianism that shape and sustain practices in Confucian-influenced societies. By taking filial piety
seriously, individuals will understand its roles of upholding peace and respect within familial relationships,
maintaining social order, and teaching practices of love and affection; forming a society for all to live in,
harmoniously.
Bibliography
Chen, Qiyou 陳奇猷. 2000. Hanfeizi with New Collations and Commentary 韓⾮⼦新校注. Shanghai 上海:
Shanghai Guji Chubanshe 上海古籍出版社.
Confucius. (1826). Niu Shuyu’s frontispiece of The Classic of Filial Piety (Xiào Jìng). Trans. J. Legge. (originally
published circa 4th century B.C.E)
Confucius. (1971). Confucian analects, the great learning and the doctrine of the mean. Trans. J. Legge. New York:
Dover. (originally published circa 500 B.C.E.).
Ikels, C. (2004). Filial Piety: Practice and Discourse in Contemporary East Asia. Stanford University Press.
Narayanan, V. (2014). Buddhist Traditions. In W. E., Oxytoby, R. C. Amore & A. Hassain
(4th Eds.), World religions: Eastern traditions (pp. 186-261). Oxford University Press.
QianXun. Confucianism Canon – the “Analects of Confucius” [M]. Kunming: Yunnan people’s publishing house,
2001, pp. 37
Yu-Wei, Hsieh. (1959).“Filial Piety and Chinese Society.” Philosophy East and West, vol. 9, no. 1/2, pp. 56–57.
JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1397210.
Sample Solution
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