THE CONCEPT OF FILIAL PIETY IN PHAN THANH GIẢN’S PHILOSOPHICAL OUTLOOK ON HUMAN LIFE

Abstract

Phan Thanh Giản (1796–1867) was a senior official of the Nguyễn dynasty who served under Emperors Minh Mạng, Thiệu Trị, and Tự Đức, contributing notably to Vietnam’s cultural and intellectual life. His philosophical outlook on human existence was shaped by classical Confucian learning and his extensive experience as an upright, diligent mandarin marked by integrity, impartiality, and competence. Central to his thought is the emphasis on moral values, especially filial piety, which he regarded as the fundamental ethical principle guiding human conduct within both family and society. Using historical–social, typological, and systematic approaches combined with analytical–synthetic methods, this study clarifies key aspects of his conception: filial piety as the basis of moral cultivation; as care, respect, and emotional support for parents; and as gratitude toward superiors and benefactors. His ideas retain lasting relevance in contemporary Vietnamese moral life.