Research on Kant's Aesthetic Thought

Author: Zhu Zhirong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-09-01
Features: This book explores the relationship between Kant's aesthetic thought and the aesthetic thought of his predecessors, tracing the classical tradition of Western aesthetic thought from Plato and Aristotle. It also analyzes the influence of various new trends since the Renaissance, particularly British empiricism and continental rationalism, on Kant. This book is the author's doctoral dissertation, completed under the guidance of Professor Jiang Kongyang during the period of pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the Department of Chinese Language at Fudan University from 1992 to 1995. It received high praise from the supervisor, review experts, and the dissertation defense committee. After graduation, it was revised and supplemented based on the suggestions of the reviewers and the defense committee. During the writing process, some preliminary preparatory papers were published in journals such as Fudan Journal, Foreign Aesthetics, Jianghuai Forum, Anhui Normal University Journal, and Suzhou University Journal, receiving positive reviews.
The book Research on Kant's Aesthetic Thought systematically introduces the emergence and formation of Kant's aesthetic thought during his critical period. It systematically discusses a series of major issues in Kant's critical period aesthetics, including its philosophical foundation, aesthetic judgment, the theory of the sublime, the theory of aesthetic imagery, and the theory of art. Especially, the book provides a more detailed exploration of issues less discussed by predecessors before its publication, such as the relationship between Kant's aesthetic thought and the aesthetic thought of his predecessors, and the relationship between Kant's aesthetic thought and his philosophical system.
The main features of this book are: first, through a historical perspective, it traces the intellectual journey of Kant's aesthetic thought, showing how he borrowed the ideas of his predecessors and independently constructed his own aesthetic system. Second, it argues that Kant, based on empiricism in aesthetics, achieves an of both empiricism and rationalism by discovering the innate principles of judgment. Other features of the book include rigorous logic, unique insights, and concise writing.
During the review and defense, experts praised it as "highly insightful" and "the most systematic work on Kantian aesthetics in China so far," reflecting the new level of Kantian aesthetic research in the 1990s. Wen Hui Reading Weekly (March 13, 1999) published an article titled Kant's Aesthetic Thought in a Broad Perspective, stating that "every issue in the book has undergone the author's own reflection." China People's Political Consultative Conference Daily (April 14, 1999) published an article titled New Achievements in Kantian Aesthetic Research, calling the book "a significant step forward in the study of Kantian aesthetics." Suzhou University Journal (April 1998, Issue 4) reviewed the book, stating that it "demonstrates the author's broad academic vision and strong comprehensive analytical ability" and "has pioneering significance." Jianghuai Forum (June 1999) published an article reviewing the book, stating that it "is worth cherishing for all readers who love Kant." Additionally, some related papers have cited this book.
It has won the first prize in Suzhou's philosophy and science award (1999) and the second prize in Jiangsu Provincial Education Department's humanities and social sciences award.