Zhongshu Literary And Artistic Aesthetics

This thesis explores Dong Zhongshu's theory construction and rich connotation of his aesthetics thoughts, from the perspective of the philosophical basis of his literature aesthetics thought .And on the basis of this study,this thesis further analyzes his rich aesthetics implication as well as its influence on later aesthetics perception.The thought of"the unity of heaven and man"by Dong Zhongshu is developed from those of"the non-separation of heaven and man"and"the separation of heaven and man". He further developed the significance of"heaven"and mainly discussed the relationship between heaven and man from the angle of"the telepathy between man and heaven". And its unique features lie in the same nature of man and heaven, man's subjective control of heaven and heaven's absolute authority upon man. As for aesthetics perception,"benevolence"is the nature of beauty;"harmony"constitutes its dimension;and"the five element theory"forms its motivation,"rites and music"is its manifestation, and"man's comprehension of heaven"is central to its formation. If the thought of respecting the heaven held by Confucian School in Pre-Qin dynasty aims for self promotion, the views put forward by Dong Zhongshu is to testify the vitality of reign. His"benevolence"which is endowed with the will of heaven serves as the communicative medium between man and heaven and is represented through the harmony of man and heaven. Dong Zhongshu considered the heaven to the absolute authority which is enshrouded in mystery. However, the theologizing of Confucianism is realized with the help of interpretation of Confucian classics. The de-authorization and discourse hegemony of Confucian classics pointed out by Dong Zhongshu have significant influence on the literary aesthetics thoughts at that time, in which he emphasized the concept of"Zheng Sheng""confluence of channels"and"Zai Dao", regarding aesthetic perception as subservient to the politics. It can be concluded that aesthetics concept in his thought is the integration of rationality, reason and vitality.