Abstract

In the Analects (13.18) we find a case that a son reported his sheep-stealing father to the authorities, and Confucius and the Duke of She disagreed whether the son was upright or not. This case reflects a conflict of strong and deep intuitions, and it continues to ignite heated debates. This essay first tries to clarify the nature of this conflict and Confucius' position, as it has many different interpretations. Next, a variety of arguments in support of Confucius' position are examined and articulated and classified into five different types. Of the five arguments, two of them are especially noteworthy: the argument from Goodness and the argument from Social Utility. Both arguments can find strong support in Confucian tradition, and many historical arguments are still relevant and insightful today. These arguments also demonstrate the value of Confucian ethics in contemporary society.