Research articles

Transcending the opposition between consciousness aesthetics and somaesthetics

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  • Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;

Published date: 05 Dec 2009

Abstract

Modern aesthetics in its early phase was “consciousness aesthetics” which upheld spirit but obviated body, hence offered demonstration for the priority of refined art as well as elite culture. In its later period, modern aesthetics converted into “somaesthetics” which, at the same time when it affirmed the identity of consciousness and body, laid particular stress on body, hence offered basis for the reasonableness of popular art as well as mass culture. Thus consciousness aesthetics and somaesthetics have their respective reasonableness and limitation. We should transcend the opposition between them, acknowledging the spirit aspect of aesthetics as well as the body aspect of it and affirming the dominant position of spirit, so as to establish a modern aesthetics characterized by body-mind integration.

Cite this article

YANG Chunshi, . Transcending the opposition between consciousness aesthetics and somaesthetics[J]. Frontiers of Philosophy in China, 2009 , 4(4) : 616 -630 . DOI: 10.1007/s11466-009-0041-2

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