Role ethics explained

Role ethics is an ethical theory based on family roles.[1] Morality is derived from a person's relationship with their community. The ethics of Confucianism is an example of role ethics,[1] in particular the Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues .

Confucianism

Confucian role ethics centers around filial piety or xiao, a respect for family members.[2] 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."[3] Filial duty requires the desire to be filial, and not just the act of filial piety.[4] In Confucian societies, filial piety determines the "moral worth" of an individual in a community and acts as a form of social capital.[3]

According to Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont, "Confucian normativity is defined by living one's family roles to maximum effect." In Confucian role ethics, morality is based on a person's fulfillment of a role, such as that of a parent or a child. These roles are established as relationships, and are not individualistic. Confucian roles are not rational, and originate through the xin, or human emotions.[4]

The concept of li or ritual propriety is crucial to Confucian roles. Propriety reinforces family relationships, and binds together the community. The performance of li expresses a person's moral commitment as a human being.[4]

In Japan, modern Confucian scholars like Uno Tetsuto and Ichimura Sanjiro have attempted to mix Confucian role ethics with concepts such as democracy and human rights.[5]

Stoicism

Epictetus developed and introduced role ethics into Stoicism, an approach to ethics based on taking seriously the different roles we all play in life. The roles are:

Epictetus’s role ethics was a development of a similar concept developed by Panaetius who was a philosopher of the middle Stoa.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Roger T. Ames. Roger T. Ames. Confucian Role Ethics: A Vocabulary. 30 April 2011. University of Hawaiʻi Press. 978-0-8248-3576-7.
  2. Book: Wonsuk Chang. Leah Kalmanson. Confucianism in Context: Classic Philosophy and Contemporary Issues, East Asia and Beyond. 8 November 2010. SUNY Press. 978-1-4384-3191-8. 68.
  3. Book: Charlotte Ikels. Filial Piety: Practice and Discourse in Contemporary East Asia. 21 November 2012. 2004. Stanford University Press. 978-0-8047-4791-2. 3–5.
  4. Book: Chris Fraser. Dan Robins. Timothy O'Leary. Ethics in Early China: An Anthology. 1 May 2011. Hong Kong University Press. 978-988-8028-93-1. 17–35.
  5. Book: Oliver Leaman. Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy. 2001. Taylor & Francis. 978-0-415-17281-3. 191.
  6. Book: Pigliucci, Massimo. The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life. 2020.