confucianism+response+Soobin+Bae

In Confucian societies demonstrating filial piety was the utmost duty for a Chinese. Unlike Legalism, where it valued government and laws, and Taoism, where it valued the flow of nature, Confucianism thought highly of the respect for the elders and parents. Confucians believed that a son or daughter had the responsibility of taking care of their parents, as well as value their parents more than anything else. A man would sacrifice his son or wife for his mother. Confucian societies believed that a son or wife could always be replaced, while a mother cannot, since she is the only one who had produced him. The document on the “Examples of Filial Piety” display the sacrifices sons make to satisfy or protect his parents. Although the parents appear in some way arrogant and selfish, the son must display respect and loyalty towards his parents, similar to the story in Freezing in a Thin Coat in Obedience to His Stepmother. Whether if it were the sacrifice of their high reputation or their health, sons would do anything to fulfill their duties for their parents as a good son. From this document we learn that Confucian societies did not apply filial piety merely as a duty, but as a serious responsibility sons are expected to fulfill with as much effort they can muster.