Two Theoretical Approaches: Self-discipline And Law

In this thesis, the concepts of Autonomy and Heteronomy have been applied for the comparative study of Kant and Hegel Aesthetic Thoughts. Firstly, this thesis explored the root causes of the differences between Kant and Hegel Aesthetic Thought from three aspects: Historical Background, Aesthetical Heritage and Philosophical Foundation. When discuss about the historical background, there is an analysis on the impacts of historical background to Kant and Hegel aesthetic thoughts, and also Kant and Hegel own choices on their aesthetic thoughts; When discuss about the Aesthetical Heritage, this thesis mentioned Kant selective acceptance of theoretical pioneers thoughts of Empiricism and Rationalism, whereas Hegel selective acceptance of the thoughts of theoretical pioneers such as Plato, Kant, Fichte, Schiller and Schelling; When analyze and compare the Philosophical Foundation of Kant and Hegel, the differences are shown in Epistemological, Ethical and Teleological aspects. Secondly, this thesis makes a profound analysis of the differences and similarities between Kant and Hegel Aesthetical thoughts. In theory of Beautiful aspects, Kant claim of "Analytic of the Beautiful" and "Beautiful is the symbol of morally good" are compared with Hegel claim of "Beautiful as the sensuous semblance of the idea"; In theory of Sublime aspects, Kant claim of "Beautiful and Sublime", "Mathematical and Dynamical Sublime" are compared with Hegel claim of "Beautiful and Sublime", "Sublime of Symbolical Art"; In theory of Art aspects, Kant claim of "Differentiation between Arts and Non Arts", "Fine Arts, Taste and Talent" and "Classification of Fine Arts in expressive form" are compared with Hegel claim of "Relationship between Fine Arts and Religion and Philosophy", "Accomplishment of Artistic Beauty" and "Classification of the epoch of art history". During the comparative analysis, the concept of Autonomy and Heteronomy had been applied to explore the similarity and differences of their aesthetic thoughts. Thirdly, this thesis based on the comparative analysis of the strength and limitation of both Kant and Hegel aesthetic thought to understand the areas where Kant is better than Hegel and vice verse. The strengths of Kant aesthetical thought is more concerning about the value of human existence, precisely grasping the nature of beauty and fine arts, maintain the linkage between arts and nature, and upholding the status of Aesthetical Independence; Whereas the strength of Hegel aesthetical thought is demonstrating profound historical consciousness, showing strong sense of reality, stress the unity of sensibility and reason, and criticizing the social factors that obstruct the development of Fine Arts. Lastly, it can be concluded that Kant and Hegel aesthetic thought is the source and foundation of Modern Chinese and Western Aesthetic Thoughts, both of them are strongly influence the development of modern Chinese and Western Aesthetics Thoughts.