Research On Xunzi YunLun Aesthetics Theory

As the last most famous Confucian in Pre-Qin, Xun zi and his magnum opus Xun zi have made far-reaching influence in later time because of its profound and abundant thoughts. This thesis tires to analyse the Yue lun aesthetic theory of Xun zi completely and deeply, explain the aesthetic characteristics and theoretic basics of its great Yue Lun aesthetic thoughts. The whole thesis includes six parts as the following:The first part answers four questions: Xun zi' s lifetime and works, the soul of Yue and basic contents of Xun zi ; contemporary situations about the research on Yue Lun thoughts and aesthetics research on Xun zi; Major methods and approaches of research used in this thesis. We take the Xunzi' s works Xun zi as the basic materials for the further research. But historically, there are always full of uncertain evidences and historical disputation all the time, thus we will try to make scientific explanation and analysis according to the true history.If we want to research the aesthetic relationship among the ancient society, we have to do the research from the origin of the phrase "Yue" . Yue is a complicated soul in Chinese ancient time. It isn' t an only deep and wide word, but also a compositive and complicated conception. From the point of aesthetics, we try to analyze this kind of concept and category, research every single question among the organic and systemical angle, and make clear the complicated relationships among the Yue Lun theory. Through the portrait contrast, transverse parallel research, particular interior and exterior research, introduce Cultural humanics and socialogy to observe Xunzi Yue lun aesthetics theory omnidirectionally.Chapter one what to discuss is the theory origin of Xunzi' s Yuelun aesthetics. Xunzi' s thoughts were produced in the Warring States Period, before that time many great works appeared in Chinese ancient history, especially in Pre-Qin Dynasty times. Accordingly, all these great historical works such as Shang Shu , Zhou Li , Zuo Zhuan , Guo Yu and so on, provided abundance soil for Xun zi . They were the authority works in the history of Chinese culture, even the whole history of Chinese aesthetics . Owing to these works, we can find a succession of clues in the relationship between the ancient "Yue" with the Yue lun in Xunzi from the aspects in origin, structure, function and many others. Among these, Xunzi' s Yue lun aesthetics theory is traceable from Kong&Meng Confucian Yue theory directly and distinctly. What' s more, from the angle of archeology, Guo-Dian-Chu-Jian, as an important discovery in the history of Confucian, came down in one continuous line with Xunzi' s Yue lun thoughts. Besides this, all kinds of theories came into being in Warring Period, opposing viewpoints coming cross with each other, Xunzi concluded and aggregated Bai-Jia-Zhen-Ming, to summarized into his Yue lun theory systematically and completely.Chapter two what to discuss is indicate the whole theoretical background of Xunzi thoughts, meaning the foundation of the Xunzi Yue lun aesthetics theory. Firstly, the Philosophical ideas "Tian Ren Xiang Fen" and the motile quality of human being. These provided an important basic precondition for Xunzi' s Yue lun thoughts. This point view of Philosophy is the solid foundation on which Xunzi' s Yuelun aesthetics theory came into existence completely and systemically.As to the basic foundation stone is that Xunzi saying "Hua-xing-qi wei" , here "wei" just means individual to do something. In Xunzi' s opinion, human being nature was born vice. Xunzi believed human being would change this kind of nature of vice by doing "wei" subjectively and consciously, to form the moral manners of "Li yi","Ci rang" , loyalty of "Zhong xin" , and some other kind characteristics of human being. Just because of this point, people can turn normal, social and aesthetical naturally. Furthermore, Xunzi' s Yue lun aesthetics theory started from this important theoretical point.In addition, Xun zi brought forward the category "Li" , and took it as a necessary role in the whole theory system. Xunzi inherited and developed the traditional thoughts about "li" in the Confucianism, and he even always emphasized the importance of "li" , making far-reaching influence in latter time.Chapter three what to discuss is to indicate and research the basic contents in Xunzi' s Yue lun aesthetics theory thoughly and comprehensively.Firstly, Xunzi pointed out that the producing mechanism of "yue" was the natural feelings of human being. Xunzi said, Yue meaned feel joyful .Because he believed that feelings, especially jovial feeling was the origin of "yue" .This statement became the precondition of Xunzi yue lun aesthetics realizing function. And this point became a kind of tradition theory in the after time of Chinese history in literature, music even are fields. Besides above statements, Xunzi put forward the following important ideas on the approaches of realization: "yue he tong" , "li bie yi" . He explained further that Yue could channel the all kinds of feelings of individual into harmony "he" . It can lead people from impoliteness into peace spontaneously and consciously. By contrast, "li" meets different desires or demands of human being according to "du liang fen jie" , to maintain system of the whole society , even the whole country. Thus, "Li" and "Yue" both exert their influence in the civilization system respectively and positively, to achieve the "zhong he" harmonious ideal together, to reach the most realm of "Mei Shan Xiang Yue" , that is on half of a kind of harmony and aesthetic realm.Chapter four what to discuss is to research the influence and the historical status xunzi yuelun aesthetics took in the latter time and in the Chinese ancient aesthetics history. Above all, xunzi and his yue theory affected Yue Ji directly and virtually. Just because that yueji inherited from xunzi, it coule become the most authorial and most systemically woks on Confucian aesthetics. Although, Yue Ji made a series of achievements in art of aesthetics , exceeding the xunzi yunlun, but we still cannot neglect the far-reaching influence from xunzi Yuelun. Xunzi Yuelun aesthetics theory made important basis foundation for the Confucian aesthetical, even for the whole Chinese aesthetics history. As to the education of aesthetics about "zhong he" , Xunzi took it as the basic approach of education firstly. From this point, we should attach great importance to Xunzi Yuelun aesthetics theory, especially in our contemporary education system. And it indicates great reference and significance to present mortality and aesthetics construction.