Chinese Aesthetic Thought

AY2015/2016 Semester 1

Contemporary thinkers in East and West often point out the aesthetic characteristic of Chinese thought. Since Confucius' rehabilitation of Zhou ritual and musical tradition, music and aesthetic thought have held the central position in the intellectual history of China. Chinese aesthetic discourse is much more colorful than generally considered. Various aesthetic issues sprang up and different thinkers contributed their ideas during Warring State period. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on the very period of the formation of Chinese aesthetic thought. Throughout the course, we will explore the fundamental aesthetic issues raised by early Chinese thinkers ? How does music move us? How music can be understood as serving the solidarity of a community? Which aspects can be significantly associated with music? How can music enlist the entire 'self'? Why aesthetic life is necessary for moral cultivation? We will address such issues from the perspective of the thinkers as well as from a perspective informed by contemporary concerns.