Confucianism Education and Filial Piety

Question: Is Confucianism still relevant today in Singapore? Answer: Introduction Confucianism is the primary system of thought founded on the teachings and principles of a Chinese sage Kung Fuzi who lived between 551 and 479 B.C.E. His system of thought was Latinized as Confucius (Nuyen, 2004)). Through his teachings and principles, Confucius shaped a system of human associations and good government which emphasized community and society, education, and filial piety. Confucianism was not meant to be a religion, but a philosophy, therefore; it influenced all aspects of the Chinese traditions including government, education, and behaviour in private and public life, as well as education. In this modern day, a research titled Confucianism and Ecology: Potential and Limits by Mary Evelyn-Yale University confirms that there are over six million people who consider themselves Confucianists, where the majority live in East Asia where Confucianism was born (Aday Kano, 1997). The objective of the essay, therefore, is to probe if Confucianism is relevant today in Singapor e. Further, it will assess its impact on the overall human society as well as the danger Confucianism principles and values pose to Singapore as a nation. Confucius ethical values, especially on good governance, the hierarchical education system, and the hierarchical family system, have played a significant role in the development of Singapore as one of the Asian Tigers. The central role played by these values in the growth of the Singapore is echoed by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew the first prime minister of Singapore when he wrote in "From Third World to the First." He said that Singapore has heavily depended on the strength and influence of the family to maintain order and keep a culture of hard work, thrift, piety, and for scholarship and learning as well as for respect for elders (Kuah, 1990). Further, Lee affirms that these values are vital in making people productive and aids in economic development. In the application of the Confucian principles Singapore government acknowledges that government cannot take over the role of the family. Hence, it's the obligation of the government to promote family because individuals subsist in a family con text. This was declared during the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004. The economic growth of Singapore has been influenced by how the founder of the country Mr. Lee Kuan Yew motivated by Confucianism integrated social stability with the modern capitalism (Kuah, 1990). Singapore is thus founded on Confucius principles of good governance, the hierarchical education system, and the hierarchical family. The principle of good governance is reflected in the emphasis of community and the society above the self. To maintain good governance, Singapore established the Singapore Public Service Commission as an independent organ of the state in 1954. Its integrity, transparency, and efficiency have contributed to the excellent service delivery in the civil service. The excellence is maintained through public service scholarship awarded to the most dedicated civil servants. Through the commission's efficacy the concept of loyalty as in Confucius teaching was integrated into the national consciousness (Bellows, 2014). Therefore, all civil servants were and are expected to be loyal to the government of the day. Singapore also initiated National day celebration in 1966 to commemorate the nation's birthday with the intention of inculcating the sense of loyalty and pride to its citizenry. The celebrations are held annually on 9th August. Similarly, through the Ministry of Education Government has invested a lot in the education sector. For example, in 2013 a total of $11.6 billion was allocated to the MOE. The Ministry of Education objective is to aid the learner to realize their talents, potentials and utilize them for personal development as well as develops a desire for learning throughout their lives. To achieve this mission, the government declared education sector as its preserve in the Compulsory Education Act. Thus, a substantial amount of fund is utilized to subsidize the cost of education. This emanates from the acknowledgment that Singapore economic development is dependent upon the skilled workforce. The education system in Singapore is well structured from pre-school to primary, to secondary and post-primary education. Such structure in education system thus offers various choices to the student. One unique feature of the Education system in Singapore is the ability to aid the child develops his/her stre ngths as well as the social skills (Bellows, 2014). Besides, Singapore established a system that inspires children to respect and take care of the elderly. To facilitate filial piety government implemented a policy to have house subsidies for those living close to their parents (Tan, 2012).For example, government through CPF Housing Grant, from $10,000 to $12,000 to those buying or selling flats to be close to their parents. As a result palliative and nursing homes were shunned. However, filial piety is beyond taking of the parents and the elderly. It entails seeking advice as a process of personal growth. Thus, it enhances continuity and aids in the promotion of social harmony. Confucius teachings and principles have been spread to overseas by Singaporeans, Chinese, Koreans, Taiwan, and Japanese. Usman (2016) observes that its impacts are reflected by the way Confucianists pattern their lives such as respect for the elders, love for the family, desire to assist the needy, and the priority they attach to education. Further, it is manifested in their hardworking-ness, zeal and thrifty and moderate living. Nuyen (2004) on the other hand, notes that Confucianism has contributed to the formation of an ethical system which has aided people to act responsibly. Furthermore, Confucianism remains relevant to the contemporary culture especially in understanding the importance of the family as the basic unity of the society. In conclusion, Confucianism teachings and principles are connected to everyday living such that they appear trivial. Everyday life is so normal that no one takes its moral demand seriously. It is important to note that Confucianism reminds the human race the importance of ideals such as parenthood, friendship, and familial piety. Hence, Confucianism invites the human race in taking everyday living seriously as a form of spiritual and moral fulfilment. References Aday, R. H., Kano, Z. M. (1997). Attitudes toward caring for aging parents; A comparisonof Laotian and US students. Educational Gerontology, 23(2), 151-167. Bellows, T. J. (2014). Confucianism and Pluralism in a Meritocratic Society: TheSingapore Case. Confucian Culture and Democracy, 131. Kuah, K. E. (1990). Confucian ideology and social engineering in Singapore. Journal ofContemporary Asia, 20(3), 371-383. Nuyen, A. T. (2004). The contemporary relevance of the Confucian idea of filial piety. Journal of Chinese Philosophy, 31(4), 433-450. Tan, C. (2012). Our shared values in Singapore: A Confucian perspective. EducationalTheory, 62(4), 449-463. Usman, U. (2016). Confucianism Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Dinika: Academic Journalof Islamic Studies, 1(2), 177-188.