On Beauty

Name: On Beauty
ISBN: 9787516829707

Zhu GuangqianTaihai Publishing House · ChinaJun 2021

4.5

Word count: 56K words
Chapters: 19
ISBN: 9787516829707

Report an error Find this book

Summary

This book is one of Zhu Guangqian's major works on aesthetics and consists of fifteen essays. It conveys his profound understanding of the relationship between art and life. Taking "talking about beauty," "escaping vulgarity," and "purifying the human heart" as its goals, it unfolds step by step along the thread of where beauty comes from, what beauty is, and what characterizes beauty, expressing the author's personality and aesthetic ideals.

Editor's review

Zhu Guangqian's On Beauty is the most representative popular work in his aesthetic thought system and, since its publication, has become an introductory text for countless readers entering the realm of aesthetics. This edition from Taihai Publishing House is based on a reliable text and offers readers a clear, plain reading option. This book is not a difficult or obscure treatise on aesthetic theory; rather, in the friendly tone of correspondence between friends, the author recounts profound aesthetic principles in an accessible way. Starting from "our three attitudes toward an ancient pine tree," it progresses layer by layer to explore core propositions such as the relationship between art and life, the creation and appreciation of beauty, and the distance between art and utility. Zhu Guangqian was learned in both Chinese and Western scholarship; his discussion integrates the essence of Western theories such as Croce's theory of intuition and Lipps's theory of empathy while being deeply rooted in the aesthetic mood of traditional Chinese culture. His prose is concise and poetic, his logic clear and full of insight. In today's era of fragmented information and excessive sensory stimulation, rereading On Beauty is especially relevant. It guides us to break free from the shackles of utility and practicality and to learn to observe life and art with an attitude of "disinterested contemplation," thereby purifying the heart, enriching the emotions, and elevating the interest and realm of life. The value of this book lies not only in imparting aesthetic knowledge but also in offering a precious philosophy of life and a method of spiritual cultivation.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginning readers interested in aesthetics and the philosophy of art who hope to build a systematic yet approachable cognitive framework
General readers seeking an aesthetics of life and hoping to enhance their personal aesthetic taste and spiritual realm
Students or practitioners in literature and the arts who need to supplement a foundation in classical aesthetic theory
People who feel anxious and restless in a fast-paced life and long for inner calm and spiritual nourishment

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a large number of specific art case analyses or practical guides to aesthetic techniques
Specialist scholars seeking cutting-edge, critical, or highly specialized research in aesthetic theory

Reading tips

It is recommended to read the whole book first and grasp its friendly epistolary thread and overall thought, without rushing to dig into individual terms
While reading, reflect in light of your own aesthetic experience, such as recalling a natural landscape or work of art that moved you
The book involves some Chinese and Western aesthetic concepts; if you encounter difficult points, you may leave them for the time being and return to savor them after finishing the book, often with deeper understanding

About the publisher

Taihai Publishing House China · Founded in 1997

Founded in 1997 and based in Beijing, Taihai Publishing House takes “building cultural bridges and promoting cross-strait unity” as its mission, focusing on Taiwan-related studies, social sciences and humanities, Chinese and foreign history, and literature. Judging from the 709 titles in the database, its publishing centers on foreign literature and classic works, with attention to Eastern philosophy, architecture, and social culture. Representative books include Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha and Steppenwolf and the four-volume Hesse literary series, Liang Sicheng’s A History of Chinese Architecture, Lao She’s Teahouse (unabridged classic edition), Sun Wu’s The Art of War, and collections by W. Somerset Maugham, Yasunari Kawabata, and Yukio Mishima. Its authors include major foreign writers such as Hesse, Maugham, Kawabata, and Mishima, as well as Liang Sicheng, Lao She, and Sun Wu. Its publishing features complete presentation of classic texts and series-based organization of foreign literature; public information on its Taiwan-related studies titles and authors is limited.

版权信息
序言
开场话
一我们对于一棵古松的三种态度——实用的、科学的、美感的
二 “当局者迷，旁观者清”——艺术和实际人生的距离
三 “子非鱼，安知鱼之乐”——宇宙的人情化
四希腊女神的雕像和血色鲜丽的英国姑娘——美感与快感
五 “记得绿罗裙，处处怜芳草”——美感与联想
六 “灵魂在杰作中的冒险”——考证、批评与欣赏
七 “情人眼底出西施”——美与自然
八 “依样画葫芦”——写实主义和理想主义的错误
九 “大人者不失其赤子之心”——艺术与游戏
十空中楼阁——创造的想象
十一 “超以象外，得其环中”——创造与情感
十二 “从心所欲，不逾矩”——创造与格律
十三 “不似则失其所以为诗，似则失其所以为我”——创造与模仿
十四 “读书破万卷，下笔如有神”——天才与灵感
十五 “慢慢走，欣赏啊!”——人生的艺术化
后记

FAQ

What is the difference between this book and Zhu Guangqian's Literary Psychology and A History of Western Aesthetics?

On Beauty is a popular introduction to aesthetics for the general public, written in epistolary form and focused on explaining basic concepts and guiding an aesthetics of life; Literary Psychology explores the psychological mechanisms of aesthetic experience more systematically and deeply; A History of Western Aesthetics is a scholarly historical work that traces the development of Western aesthetic thought. This book is the best starting point for entering Zhu Guangqian's intellectual world.

Can I understand this book without a foundation in art or philosophy?

Absolutely. This book was written precisely for general readers. Zhu Guangqian uses extremely clear prose and examples close to life (such as looking at an ancient pine or reading poetry) to explain aesthetic principles. As long as you read calmly, you will gain understanding and pleasure from reading.

What are the features of this edition of On Beauty?

This edition is one of the common standard editions on the market. The text is classic and reliable, the layout is clear, and there are no excessive or cumbersome annotations, ensuring that readers directly encounter Zhu Guangqian's original thought. It is suitable as a pure vehicle for reading and reflection.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Zhu Guangqian Author · China · 1897–1986

Zhu Guangqian (1897–1986), courtesy name Mengshi, was a native of Tongcheng, Anhui, and a renowned modern Chinese aesthetician, literary theorist, educator and translator, as well as one of the pioneers and founders of modern Chinese aesthetics. He studied at the University of Hong Kong and later pursued advanced studies at the University of Edinburgh in Britain and the University of Strasbourg in France, and after returning to China he taught for many years at Peking University. His works cover aesthetic theory, literary criticism and youth education, with representative titles including On Literary Psychology, On Beauty, On Poetry, A History of Western Aesthetics and Twelve Letters to Young People. His style is accessible and warm, explaining profound ideas in plain language, and his writings have influenced generations of readers. He also translated such Western classics as Hegel's Aesthetics and Vico's The New Science, making important contributions to the establishment of Chinese aesthetics as a discipline and the introduction of Western aesthetic thought.