Consanguinism (original) (raw)

Consanguinism is an element of Confucianism referenced in modern discussions of Chinese philosophy to describe the emphasis on kinship bonds and filial piety in Confucian ethics. The phrase “consanguineous affection” was popularized by scholar Liu Qingping in a series of essays written throughout the 2000s, and it has since become a major focus of current debates over the correlation between Confucian ethics and trends of corruption in modern Chinese society. While the term “consanguinity” simply refers to the blood relations shared between family members and their ancestors, many interpret it within the context of Confucianism to imply that these bonds serve as the supreme value on which all moral decisions should be based.