The Theory Of Literature And The Style Of Expression Of Chinese Intellectual

The beginning of the theory of literature's Ch'i can be traced back to Meng zi's theory of knowing word and keeping Ch'i. But the literature and Ch'i are actually linked together by Cao pi's theory that the greatest importance in literature is Ch'i. Cao pi maintains in his theory that positive Ch'i and negative Ch'i are same important, afterwards positive Ch'i is taken seriously and negative Ch'i is underestimated.There are two reasons to cause this result, one is the philosophical idea that "Ch'i is power" in classical philosophy, the other is the Confucian positive realistic view of literature and art. Because of this, vigorous and vehement style of expression which advocate Ch'i and strength are given rise to. The defects of this two positive styles of expression are ravings and unreasonable which are created by putting undue stress on positive Ch'i and lack of reasonable controlling because of indulging affection.For this reason, that modern intellectual must strengthen reasonable consciousness is the most important in the style of expression. Besides the traditional view that "keeping Ch'i" is "training virtue" in the theory of literature's Ch'i is significant to the modern intellectual personality construction.