The Chinese Aesthetic Tradition

Contents

v Contents Preface to the First Edition vii Translator’s Introduction ix Chapter 1 The Rites and Music Tradition 1 Society and Nature: The Pre-Confucian Tradition • Feeling and Form in the Rites and Music Tradition • Politics and Art Chapter 2 Confucian Humanism 39 Conscious Humanity in the Analects • The Perfection of Human Personality • Time, Emotion, and the Apprehension of Mortality • Morality and Vitality in Mencius • The Unity of Heaven and Humans in Xunzi and the Book of Changes Chapter 3 The Daoist-Confucian Synthesis 76 “Free and easy wandering”: Zhuangzi’s Aesthetic View of Life • The Broadening of the Aesthetic Object • The Unconscious Chapter 4 Beauty in Deep Emotion 117 A New Reflection on Mortality • Noumenal Inquiry and Experience • Imaginary Reality Chapter 5 Metaphysical Pursuits 160 Eternity and Subtle Awakening • Lingering Flavor and Blandness • The Return to Confucianism and Daoism vi Contents Chapter 6 Toward Modernity 194 From Desire to Innate Sensibility • The Influence of Western Aesthetics • Media and Categorization Epilogue 223 Notes 225 Index 249 ...