Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.4, 2018 

The Unfolding and Deepening of the Notion of Nature: On the Influence of Lao-Zhuang Thought on the Chinese Aesthetic Spirit

(Abstract)

Chen Lili

The Taoist thoughts embodied in Laozi and Zhuangzi not only have prominent value in the history of literature and philosophy, but also had a profound influence on traditional Chinese aesthetics. They are important theoretical resources for the Chinese aesthetic spirit. Under the concept of dao fa ziran (the Way follows nature), nature became the highest standard of Taoist aesthetic pursuits, puzhuo (simplicity)became a state of nature, and xujing (hollowness and quietness) the process of reaching nature. In addition, under the influence of the thought of qiwu (to level all things), the concept of shengsi (life and death) has been expanded constantly, and huofa (living rules), which was opposite to sifa (dead rules), became an important category in literary criticism. After the Wei and Jin period, Lao-Zhuang thought gradually permeated into the field of aesthetics, and traditional Chinese thoughts on poetics, calligraphy, painting and music were all influenced by it.