NOTRE DAME OF KIDAPAWAN COLLEGE Formation of Moral values

GRADUATE SCHOOL Fr. Gerardo (Gerry) Tacdoro

MA MATHEMATICS SY 2022-2023
1st Semester

Name: MECHELLE NERI BAUTISTA

Level & Course: 2ND Year / MA Mathematics

CONFUCIAN MORAL EDUCATION

REACTION PAPER

Short Paper Title: FILIAL PIETY IS THE ROOT OF HUMANITY

Author/s: Fr. Gerardo T. Tacdoro, Ph.D
Year of Publication: 2022

Summary:

In the field of philosophy, Confucius is one of the renowned philosophers which by the way he is
Chinese and Asian which for me personally is amazing because aside that I am an Asian, Filipino in
particular, we all know that great philosopher and great teacher are usually came from if not Greek which
is in Europe that includes British philosopher and if not all most of them are white race. This Confucius
for me is a very interesting person especially when we talk about philosophy. He has been greatly
influenced obviously by the Chinese people, with his great thoughts, ideas and philosophy in life but
undeniably, it influenced Asia and even the whole world.

We all know of his famous philosophy in life which I caught " Do not do unto others what you don't want
others do unto you. On the other hand, on this particular topic or teaching of Confucius about Filial piety
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶ℎ𝑢 𝑜𝑟 conscientiousness and altruism which describe the root of humanity as
explained. According to Confucius Filial Piety simply means respect and reverence of parents. It is about
the child's attitudes towards his parents. This classic teaching is indeed a fundamental core value of
humanity. For me as a Filipino, I can say that the Filipino family is founded on this belief as well. When
you ask elders, grandfather, grandmother, even our parents, they really give emphasis on respecting and
reverence. Not only to the parents but also to the elders as well. We have these costumes for example, a
very basic show of respect to the elders by saying “Po” at “Opo” and even mano po, these are clear
indications of a Filipino family culture that passed down through generations.

Back on what Confucius said, that filial piety is the root of humanity is indeed true. As we all
know, in every society the family is the small unit of community. In other words, the melting pot of core
values is in the very family itself. That is why when Confucius says, having respect and reverence to the
parents by the child or children is equitable to the society as a whole. Why? If you have this kind of
family, in a certain community, there will be a harmonious and a functioning community because as the
child is being trained in home, if he has respect and reverence to his parents, when he grew up and will
start to build a life in the society he or she will be a better functioning person. He has respect in laws,
order, rules, costume, government officials, churches, etc.

Now, there is something that Confucius mentions about gen as a particular virtue. It predates
Confucianism by talking about a virtue which is the kindness of the ruler towards his subjects. Now, what
Confucius did according to the article of Fr. Gerardo T. Tacdoro, he adapted this kind of belief, the gen
but in a different perspective. What he means by that is for Confucius, Gen is not only a kindness of a
ruler in his subject but in his new teaching Gen is a general virtue used in a broader sense in compassing
ethical ideals which includes all the desirable qualities of a man. This means, a man of character, that is
Gen. According to Confucius, a man with Gen establishes his own character or in other words, builds up
his own character. Aside from that, he also seeks to establish others as well. This can be seen in the
golden rule of a man that he seeks not only himself but he also thinks on what he can contribute to others
and to the community, that is a man of Gen.

According to the article also that Gen is expressed in terms of Chung and Chu or
conscientiousness or altruism. Chung or Conscientiousness means full development of one's mind and
Chu or altruism means the extension of that mind to others. The articles also describe that Chung is the
way of heaven whereas Chu is the way of man. This teaching simply emphasizes the aspect of
development of one's mind or character in motivation of benefiting others as well in the process, that is
the relationship of conscientiousness and altruism.

Now when you really think about it, this Filial Piety, Gen, Chung and Chu are like a wave of
rope that binds together that holds the end goal. Why? Let me break it down, once a person or a child is
trained of being respectful to his parents which what filial piety is, he or she is now ready for self-
development which is Gen or a man of character which eventually when he is in full capacity and
functioning person with character. He or she now can help or contribute to the society for the benefits of
others, and that is conscientiousness and altruism is. This is very true because that's what we are all
striving for. As Filipinos, we are not all perfect, whether in family or individual aspect, but that is what
the end goal is. That is what our parents are trying and striving to teach us, giving their best example in
order for us to be a better person in relation to the community and society. May we all achieve our full
potential and be a useful person not only to the family but to the others as well.