Filial piety is a central tenet of which school of thought?

• A. Taoism
• B. Buddhism
• C. Legalism
• D. Confucianism

Answer: (D)

Filial piety—the respect for parents and ancestors—is a foundational idea in Confucian thought. In this tradition, how you treat your family trains you to behave rightly in all relationships, which in turn supports social harmony and moral order. The family is seen as the first school of virtue, where duties, rituals, and reverence for elders cultivate self-control, responsibility, and respect for authority. These personal habits spill over into public life, guiding how people interact with rulers, elders, and peers and reinforcing a stable, hierarchical society.

Taoism, by contrast, emphasizes living in harmony with the Dao, often valuing spontaneity and naturalness over formal duties. Buddhism centers on the path to enlightenment, focusing on understanding suffering and cultivating compassion and mindfulness. Legalism prioritizes strict laws and state power to enforce order, with less emphasis on moral cultivation through family relationships. Because filial piety is so deeply woven into the moral and social framework of Confucianism, it is most closely associated with that school of thought.