A Discussion of “Father and Son Conceal Each Other’s Wrongdoings. Integrity Is Found Therein.”

Abstract Over the past decade, the academic community has been engaging in a debate about Confucian ethics concerning the issue of “father and son concealing each other’s wrongdoings.” One side argues that it is natural and humane for fathers and sons to conceal each other’s wrongdoings. The other side argues that it is illegal and immoral for fathers and sons to conceal each other’s wrongdoings. These two appraisals are mutually exclusive. However, they share the same understanding in that both sides of the argument believe that fathers and sons concealing each other’s wrongdoings means covering up crimes. Both sides of the argument believe that Confucius regarded hiding the wrongdoings of one’s relatives to be an “upright” virtue. However, a careful examination of the Analects and related literature reveals that the above understanding is a misinterpretation. When Confucius says, “the father conceals the wrongdoings of the son, and the son conceals the wrongdoings of the father,” it does not mean covering up each other’s crimes. It rather refers to the attributes of a righteous family and active moral responsibility. “Father and son conceal each other’s wrongdoings. Integrity is found therein” is not advocating favoritism or disregard for social morality. Instead, the aim is to propose a path of virtue to mediate the apparent conflict between filial piety and justice.