Daoist thought and Su Shi's aesthetics

Author: Yang Cunchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This book does not comprehensively list Su Shi's aesthetic theory insights but closely integrates them with Su Shi's aesthetic creation practices. It ingeniously examines the relationship between Taoist thought and Su Shi's aesthetic thought from various angles, striving to clarify the main axis of Su Shi's aesthetic thought and then explore the primary manifestations of Taoist thought in his aesthetic philosophy. The book adopts a broad perspective, first discussing the unique position of Taoism, particularly Zhuangxue, in the history of Chinese aesthetics, Su Shi's life philosophy, and how he approached social life and all things with an aesthetic attitude. This powerfully demonstrates that Taoist thought has permeated Su Shi's blood and marrow, ultimately reflected in his creative works and aesthetic theories. In artistic creation, he revered nature in terms of the object and emphasized genuine personality in terms of the subject. In terms of thinking methods, he integrated various schools of thought with Taoism as the core, imbued with a simple yet dialectical tone. The logical framework of the book is complete, the analysis meticulous, the arguments rigorous, and the whole work is harmonious. The author, through long-term academic discussions on the Confucian-Taoist debate surrounding Su Shi's thought, has reached a convincing conclusion through careful analysis, establishing his own unique perspective. Due to the extensive citations of Su Shi's own poems, prose, and essays in the analysis and arguments, the book reads like flowing clouds and clear water, making it very enjoyable to read.