Changes in aesthetic tastes

Author: Fan Yují
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Based on a historical review of the theory of taste, this book combines the latest findings from modern neurology and psychology to argue that taste is a socially constructed phenomenon rooted in specific physiological foundations, representing an intrinsic choice of life impulses. Building on this theoretical foundation, the book critically examines the artificiality of highbrow taste, pointing out that there is no inherent distinction between highbrow and lowbrow taste, but only between true and false taste. From this perspective, it further explores various issues of aesthetic taste in modern society. On one hand, the book traces the historical trajectory of the theory of taste in Western aesthetics from its emergence to its development and maturation, identifying the role and significance of "taste" in traditional aesthetics. On the other hand, it discusses the emergence of artistic expression as a reflection of human nature. The writing employs a combination of speculative and empirical research methods. According to traditional aesthetic theory, the research methods of neuroaesthetics fall under the category of non-theoretical taste studies. By applying scientific empirical methods to the study of taste, it becomes possible to gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying aesthetic experience, which greatly benefits modern aesthetic research. At the same time, using this theoretical framework to analyze new aesthetic issues in fashion culture not only broadens the scope of aesthetic research but also enriches its content, bringing aesthetics from a purely theoretical realm into the realm of practical aesthetics.