A Tentative Analysis Of Max Dessoir's Thought Of The Science Of Art

Max Dessoir (1867-1947) was a famous Germany psychologist and esthetician . He was a chief representative of the trends of thought in the art science during the early years of 20 century.In the book of ≤Aesthetik and allgemine Kunstinseeschaft≥Dessoir made a systematic study on art science. He thought there should be an independent discipline which made a scientific research on art. It was general science of art. So when the beauty was studied in aesthetics, the laws of art were examined in art science. The research in general science of art should be scientific, objective and descriptive. Furthermore , the general science of art should be a strong bridge that links concrete art theory with philosophy of art. Dessoir has a sober consciousness on discipline and he wants to draw a clear distinction between aesthetics and the science of art, on the basis of which they may cooperate with each other. Then with the theory of Dessoir the independence of science was established theoretically. So his book ≤Aesthetik and allgemine Kunstinseeschaft≥ became the symbol of the independence of the science of art.After determining the nature, scope and task of general science of art, Dessoir also designed the framework for the independent discipline. This theoretic framework consists of four parts: First, the study of art creation of artists; Second, the study of origin of art; Third, the study of artistic system and assortment; Fourth, the study of the rational, social and moral functions of art. Dessoir's framework of art science is not only different from the prevenient research on art in aesthetic theory, but different from his framework for aesthetics brightly. These four aspects have been involved in prevenient aesthetic system. However, Dessoir have given them more important and systematic meaning.The thesis tries to make a comprehensive and systematic research of Dessoir's idea of art science, tries to instruct its important value on the history of art science and tries to use the experience for reference in the development of art science of our country.