The Study Of Zengzi's Conception Of Filial Piety

As one of Confucius'"72 brilliant disciples", Zengzi, who was worshiped as the representative and embodiment of ancient filial piety in China, inherited and developed Confucius'conception of filial piety, earnestly practiced what he advocated, and was the completion of traditional theories of the conception of filial piety. Zengzi's thoughts, especially his conception of filial piety, were parts of important ingredients of Chinese culture, and also were a lightening jewelry in world's culture. The conception of filial piety not only had deep effects on Chinese 2000 years'feudalism society, but also possessed highly practical value in present time.Domestic scholars recently have written some relevant papers, but not thorough. The scholars abroad also make certain progresses, but they mainly study Confucian conception of filial piety, especially Confucius'. By referring to the productions achieved by home and abroad scholars, the present paper diligently attempts to analyze the meaning of the filial conception to ancient and modern society through thoroughly studying the connotation of Zengzi's filial conception.The paper on Zengzi's conception of filial piety is mainly composed of three parts: The first part of this paper comprehensively discusses the connotation and origin of filial piety, especially the conception of filial piety in the period of Spring and Autumn and Warring States. The conception of filial piety is nothing but correlative system, which is consistent with the ideologies of Philosophers before the Qin Dynasty, so in this part I will also briefly introduce these philosophers'conception of filial piety, including Confucius, Mozi, Mengzi, Xunzi, Hanfeizi, in order to deepen the study of connotation of the conception of filial piety.The second part focuses on the connotation of the Zengzi's conception of filial piety. Five subdivisions are made to discuss it. Filial piety is the root of virtue, the truth in life, and the maximal virtue. It can't be merely confined to the home and the supreme form makes people respect and foster their parents, and brings about the felicity of common people. The combination of royalty and filial piety can lead to the natural revelation of inner feelings. Then I make a brief classification regarding the practice of filial piety, with which I integrate personal morals. The harmonious significance of filial piety on family and society also has drawn my great attention to do with.The final part tries to narrate the impact of Zengzi's conception of filial piety in the feudal and modern society. I intend to employ the Marxist-Leninist approach to introduce its positive and negative aspects. The former part is fully affirmed and the latter scum is criticized strongly.