Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.3, 2024

Void Quietness, Empathy and Psychic Distance: The Transcendent Pursuit of Chinese and Western Aesthetic Psychology

(Abstract)

Li Jian

Both Chinese and Western literary theories and aesthetics have proposed valuable concepts in aesthetic psychology, contributing to the diversity of global aesthetics. “Void quietness” is an aesthetic psychological concept highly valued by ancient Chinese thinkers, with its pinnacle states being “fasting of the mind,”“sitting in oblivion,” or “void quietness.” Both Chinese and Western aesthetic psychologies strive to transcend utilitarianism or selfinterest. Despite methodological differences, their objectives align: to remove the barriers of utilitarianism or vested interests from aesthetics, aspiring to enter a realm of pure aesthetics.