The Origin of Beauty

Author: Zhu Cunming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This is a collection of essays, representing the culmination of the author's research in aesthetics. The title "The Origins of Beauty" is chosen because the themes explored in these essays are closely related to the question of "The Origins of Beauty." The investigation of this question can be conducted within the framework of aesthetic anthropology, a relatively new discipline whose demonstrates strong vitality and academic comprehensiveness. This is not only a study of the emergence of aesthetics but also an exploration of aesthetic theory, more precisely, it is a report on a "knowledge archaeology." It involves a knowledge-based investigation of the historical forms of human aesthetics and the cultural origins of aesthetics, aiming to uncover the anthropological roots of aesthetics. The content can be divided into three aspects: , explorations in aesthetic anthropology, including six essays; second, studies on inspirational culture, featuring over ten essays by the author on inspirational culture and inspirational thinking; third, totems and discourse, discussing ancient Chinese visual image culture, particularly Han Dynasty mural art, and its relationship with traditional Chinese aesthetics, as well as some aesthetic issues in ancient and contemporary China.