Does xiao come before ren?
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
1-2008
Abstract
The concept of xiao, commonly rendered “filial piety” or “filiality,” occupies a privileged position in Chinese thought. It is not limited to the Confucian tradition, although as an ethical concept it develops largely in a Confucian framework. Specifically, the meaning of xiao is related closely to that of the cardinal Confucian virtue ren, “benevolence” or “humanity.” Often, xiao is understood as a concrete expression of ren. This suggests that ren is more basic, forming a deep moral presence that pervades and informs the fundamental nature of human beings. From this perspective, ren takes on universal ethical significance and moves beyond the confines of “benevolence” understood as a particular virtue, whereas xiao gains meaning from ren and can be said to be a function of it.
Discipline
Asian History | Asian Studies | Philosophy
Research Areas
Integrative Research Areas
Publication
Filial piety in Chinese thought and history
Editor
Alan K. L. Chan & Tan Sor-Hoon
First Page
154
Last Page
175
ISBN
9780203413883
Identifier
10.4324/9780203413883-10
Publisher
Routledge
City or Country
London
Citation
CHAN, Alan Kam Leung.
Does xiao come before ren?. (2008). Filial piety in Chinese thought and history. 154-175.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cis_research/300
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203413883-10