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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Confucian Filial Obligation and Care For Aged Parents II. A Confucian Concept of Justice We may see the existential nature of adult children's filial duty to take respectful care of their aged parents much clearer in the Eastern Confucian moral tradition. It is well known that Confucianism in general can be seen as a theoretical expression and a systematic justification of traditional family values in ancient China (Fung, 1948, p.21).

Xiao (filial piety), which primarily defines children's moral duty to their parents, has been understood in the 2500 year long Confucian tradition as the "root" of morality ( Analects , 1:2).(10) It is, in Max Weber's words, "the absolutely primary virtue" which "in case of conflict, preceded all other virtues" in China (Weber, 1951, p.157).

Confucius' emphasis on*"xiao,"* as adult children's taking respectful care for their aged parents, had a tremendous influence in shaping the Chinese understanding of the nature of morality. On the one hand, taking good care of one's parents is often seen as a cardinal virtue of a moral person*(jun zi)* and constitutive of being a good citizen.

On the other hand, that all the parents and the elderly received good care from their children in the last years of their lives is taken in Chinese tradition as proof of a good society and a good government. Because of this, Mencius, the second important figure in Confucianism, said that in a good society "a son and a younger brother should be taught their obligation of taking good care of their aged parents.

The people with grey hair should not be seen carrying burdens on the street" (Mencius, 1A:7). Otherwise it would be a matter of shame for the children of those elderly persons as well as for the government. This Confucian tradition of seeing one's taking good care of one's aged parents as a moral duty has been not only reflected in the Chinese moral life but also in the practice of the Chinese laws from the beginning.

For example, according to the Chinese Marriage Law, adult children's moral duty of taking respectful care of their aged parents is defined as: Children have an obligation to support and to assist their parents.....