Confucian interpersonal relationships and family ethics and its contemporary value

Abstract: In Chinese culture, Confucian thought about interpersonal relationships and family ethics hold significant historical and cultural value. These ideas not only affect individual moral cultivation, but also play a key role in the entire society’s harmony and stability. Beginning with Confucius’ views on concepts, such as friendship and order, the paper examines the concept of interpersonal relationships in Confucius’ thought from five aspects based on the five constant virtues-benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and sincerity. Based on the five constant virtues of interpersonal relationships, this paper further summarizes and analyzes Confucius’ family ethics concepts and reflects on them. Through reflection and outline of Confucius’ thoughts, we can easily grasp the foundation of Chinese traditional culture and give helpful reference and motivation to the construction of ethics and morality in current culture.