Final answer:
Confucius believed inferiors owed their superiors obedience and loyalty, as part of the concept of filial piety and a hierarchical yet reciprocal relationship characterized by benevolence and virtue. Hence, the correct answer is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confucius believed that inferiors owed their superiors obedience and loyalty. This sense of duty is rooted in the concept of filial piety, a cornerstone of Confucian virtue. In the Confucian ethical framework, the relationship between rulers and their subjects, as well as between fathers and sons, is characterized by a hierarchy where the inferior must demonstrate respect and obedience.
A ruler or father would reciprocate through benevolence and virtuous leadership, embodying the quality of ren - an attitude of generosity and empathy. Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is a. Obedience and loyalty.