맹자의 효 사상 = Mencius’ ideas on Filial Piety

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study is about the filial piety that Mencius mentioned. For modern people, human relationships are just considered as means for their own interests. It's a troubled time to find a human relation which are mediated by love. Human relations are confusing and chaotic because of a selfish mind. Selfish relationship naturally expands into selfish society.
A society full of selfishness is anxious. Mencius' thoughts are alternative to nervous society. The ideas suggest a solution for peaceful society. 仁義禮智(benevolence, righteousness, knowledge & propriety) is the way of life that Mencius recommends for a peace. Benevolence is to love parents, and righteousness is to follow his older brother and take care of his younger brother. Knowledge is to live with benevolence and righteousness mind, and propriety is to practice those two things in life.
Mencius regarded the family as the best and great community. According to him, the emphasis on is 仁義禮智 the result of affection for the family, the ideal of Mencius. And Mencius did not want the family to stay in their original range. It’s a natural process for the family to expand into society. Therefore, the practice of 仁義禮智 can not be limited to the peace and well-being of the family. The ideology of 仁義禮智 for peaceful family relations extends to the idea for peace of the society and the members.
Mencius's proposal for a peaceful family is an idea to remind in the modern era where the collapse of a family becomes a routine and family discord is not unfamiliar. Mencius wanted a peaceful family and hoped that it would lead to peace in society. It’s meaningful for us to look at the thoughts of Mencius in that it gives a great resonance to us who live in the confused society like present days.