The concept of “constant obligations of morality” in the culture mindset of southern Vietnamese people

Tóm tắt

 Drawing from Southern Vietnamese folk poetry, this article analyzes and elucidates the manifestations of the concept of “constant obligations of morality”, including “three fundamental bonds”, “filial piety”, “loyalty and filial devotion”, “righteousness”, and “benevolence and righteousness”. These notions are interpreted through the lens of an “entity” characterized by attributes such as “completeness”, “roundness”, “squareness and roundness”, “heaviness”, and “immobility”-all associated with positive values. Conversely, an entity marked by “incompleteness”, “deficiency”, “lightness”, or “mobility” is linked to negative values. The concept of “constant obligations of morality” is dynamically adapted and expressed through metaphorical language, rooted in the material and cultural experiences of the Vietnamese people, particularly those in Southern Vietnam. This concept holds significant importance, not only shaping behavioral standards, ethics, and culture but also informing the actions of Southern Vietnamese specifically and Vietnamese society as a whole.