A Study On The Theoretical Basis Of Wang Chuanshan's Aesthetics

As the typical form of Confucian aesthetics, Wang Chuanshan's aesthetics plays an important role in the history of Chinese aesthetics. The dissertation, in the perspective of somatics and hermeneutics which establish the bases of Wang Chuanshan's thoughts, surveys the vital foundation of Wang Chuanshan's philosophy, discodes the meaning-generating process.Wang Chuanshan's somatics, rooted in his Chi (vital force) theory, mainly discusses the relationship between body and mind, shows his ultimate concern. Wang Chuanshan places human being into the existential context between heaven and man, claiming that man can realize his own transcendency by the means of practice, especially with the body-mind cultivation. Wang Chuanshan's aesthetics is a theory of life transcendency. Xing is the arousing and appearing of beauty and kindness, based on soma-foundation. For man, Wen (cultivate, culture) indicates a cultivation aesthetics, including all three aspects: moral, vitality, and figure. Ri-sheng-ri-dong (ever creating, ever developing), concerning the timely existence of everyone, denotes the possibility of immanent transcendency at the every moment of life. As a canon hermeneutics, Wang Chuanshan's aesthetics develops its own meaning within the interpretation of Confucian canons and other classics. It profoundly corresponds to the tide of time spirit. He earnestly practiced what he comprehended from the interpretation of earlier classics, and characterized his painstaking life as a beautiful personality, a touching song with sorrow and pride.