Role ethics

Confucian role ethics centers around filial piety or xiao, a respect for family members.

[3] The concept is elaborated in the Confucian text Classic of Filial Piety: "In serving his parents, a filial son reveres them in daily life; he makes them happy while he nourishes them; he takes anxious care of them in sickness; he shows great sorrow over their death; and he sacrifices to them with solemnity.

[2] In Confucian societies, filial piety determines the "moral worth" of an individual in a community and acts as a form of social capital.

[4] According to Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont, "Confucian normativity is defined by living one's family roles to maximum effect."

Confucian roles are not rational, and originate through the xin, or human emotions.