Comments on Wu Yu’s Critique of the Confucian Teaching of Filial Piety and Conflicts within Filial Piety

David Xu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

This essay focuses on refining the understanding of Confucian filial piety. It aims to clarify some misinterpretations of filial piety by critically analyzing and evaluating Wu Yu’s Shuo Xiao (說孝), which attacked Confucianism in the 20th century. Five themes related to filial piety, including restriction of freedom / authoritarianism, the three-year funeral ritual, the supporting obligation toward parents, the succession of offspring or incense, and conflict with loyalty, are discussed and exemplified in this essay.

PROFILE PICTURE

BIO

XU Hengwei is a year three student majoring in Hotel Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He enjoys reading Chinese classics such as the Analects and Shih Chi (史記) in his spare time.

REFLECTION

In the course GEC2C30 Topics in Chinese and Comparative Philosophy, Dr. Yu Kam Por recommended the Book of Filial Piety, one of the Confucian classics. During the reading and discussion process, I found that the filial piety that Confucius advocates is inspiring but sometimes misinterpreted by others. .