從基督教角度反思儒家孝道的現代價值

Rethinking the Modern Value of Confucian Filial Piety from the Perspective of Christianity

洪子雲(Tsz-Wan Hung)

《華神期刊》 12期 (2021/12) Pp. 66-87

並列摘要

This paper attempts to explore the value of traditional Confucian filial piety in modern society from the Christian perspective. I point out that Confucian filial piety advocates respect and provision. Furthermore, children. must take care of themselves, behave in a virtuous manner, and bring honor to one's family. This is consistent with Christian thought and still applicable in modern society. This article also discusses that the criticism of the Confucian filial piety made by the May Fourth Movement may have committed the anachronistic fallacy. The problem of traditional Confucian politics lies mainly in the ＂isomorphism of family and state＂. It cannot, therefore, deny the value of filial piety and the rule by filial piety. However, the concepts of blind loyalty and blind filial piety have indeed appeared in Chinese history, and they have brought a lot of harm to the Chinese. Therefore, Neo-Confucian scholars have emphasized that pre-Qin Confucianism has the concept of remonstrance. I also explore the tension between kin concealment and impartiality, and point out that traditional Confucianism does have the tendency of upholding the supremacy of blood relatives which hinders the progress of modernization. I argue that modern filial piety should be a truth-based critical filial piety that can be supported by the transcendent nature of the Truth in Christian thought. I also point out that in the past, the interactions between Western Christian thought and Confucianism show that both theories can mutually learn from and support each other. In particular, Western Christian ethics tends to ignore the importance of filial piety in light of Confucianism. The Christian concept of grace can also help to realize the Confucian ideal of ＂cultivating the self, regulating the family, and then governing the state, and leading the world to peace＂. In the era of the decline of filial piety, Christianity can promote the culture of filial piety that conforms to the Truth of God.