The Daoist philosophy, especially as conceptualized by Master Zhuang Zhou within the Zhuangzi, ha... more The Daoist philosophy, especially as conceptualized by Master Zhuang Zhou within the Zhuangzi, has cultivated most of the unique traditional Chinese aesthetic tastes. The aesthetic view of the Zhuangzi is based on Zhuangzian philosophy, which emphasizes the naturalness of things. He suggests most beautiful things are those that naturally created by the Dao or naturally demonstrated. He also suggests a link between “truthfulness” and “beautifulness.” At the same time, Zhuang Zhou takes a suspicious view on the conventionally constructed standards or stereotypes of “beauty,” indicating that there might not be any absolute standard of beauty in human society. Zhuang Zhou’s philosophy and aesthetic view has profound and far-reaching influence on Chinese literature and art. It has nourished many aesthetic paradigm and artistic styles. Additionally, his philosophy also advocates an anti-utilitarian attitude, which provides an alternative supplement to the Confucian view of aesthetics within literature and art. But what exactly is meant by “Zhuang Zhou’s theory of art” or “the Zhuangzian aesthetics,” and in what manner has his teachings provided such far-reaching influence on Chinese aesthetics? We explore these questions with a discussion on four aesthetic principles emphasized within the Zhuangzian philosophy and exemplified by six concepts within the Zhuangzi. Following, we discuss these ideas relating to their impact within Chinese literature, art, and music with several real-world examples. In this way, Zhuang Zhou’s Daoist philosophy has significantly influenced Chinese aesthetic values.
The Daoist philosophy, especially as conceptualized by Master Zhuang Zhou within the Zhuangzi, ha... more The Daoist philosophy, especially as conceptualized by Master Zhuang Zhou within the Zhuangzi, has cultivated most of the unique traditional Chinese aesthetic tastes. The aesthetic view of the Zhuangzi is based on Zhuangzian philosophy, which emphasizes the naturalness of things. He suggests most beautiful things are those that naturally created by the Dao or naturally demonstrated. He also suggests a link between “truthfulness” and “beautifulness.” At the same time, Zhuang Zhou takes a suspicious view on the conventionally constructed standards or stereotypes of “beauty,” indicating that there might not be any absolute standard of beauty in human society. Zhuang Zhou’s philosophy and aesthetic view has profound and far-reaching influence on Chinese literature and art. It has nourished many aesthetic paradigm and artistic styles. Additionally, his philosophy also advocates an anti-utilitarian attitude, which provides an alternative supplement to the Confucian view of aesthetics within literature and art. But what exactly is meant by “Zhuang Zhou’s theory of art” or “the Zhuangzian aesthetics,” and in what manner has his teachings provided such far-reaching influence on Chinese aesthetics? We explore these questions with a discussion on four aesthetic principles emphasized within the Zhuangzian philosophy and exemplified by six concepts within the Zhuangzi. Following, we discuss these ideas relating to their impact within Chinese literature, art, and music with several real-world examples. In this way, Zhuang Zhou’s Daoist philosophy has significantly influenced Chinese aesthetic values.
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Papers in English by Matthew R. Jamnik