Filial Piety and Loyalty: Two Types of Social Identification in Confucianism

Abstract

The Confucian concepts of filial piety and loyalty are examined in terms of social identity theory in order to illustrate the arrangement of interpersonal relationships between self and others in Confucian culture. Filial piety, the core idea of Confucian ethics for ordinary people, is explained in the context of my previous analysis of the structure of Confucianism (Hwang, 1995). The social consequences of practicing Confucian ethics for ordinary people in the agricultural society of traditional China are illustrated with Fei's (1948) concept of differential structure and F. L. K. Hsu's (1971) psychosociogram. The concept of loyalty is contrasted with filial piety with reference to the optimal distinctiveness theory. Empirical studies are cited to illuminate the psychological implications of holding filial attitudes and of the modification of filiaty under the impact of modernization. Finally, suggestions for future research are offered based on current analysis of issues related to this topic.