On the Rise of Aesthetic Education——A Glaring Academic Scene in Social Transformation at the Turn of the 20th Century

At the beginning of 20th century,China was transforming itself from a feudal society to a modern democratic one.Liang Qichao,Cai Yuanpei,Lu Xun and Zhu Guangqian talked much about aesthetic education,which formed a glaring academic scene.Liang put forward taste-oriented philosophy and prioritized beauty in life.Cai Yuanpei proposed aesthetic education in place of religion.Lu Xun stressed that art could be revolutionary in function and true beauty shall be promoted for the cultivation of human spirit.Zhu Guangqian upheld the art of life.Those ideas on art and human life shed light on social reform and construction.Comparatively speaking,Liang Qichao and Zhu Guangqian's theory aims at building an ideal personality;Cai Yuanpei's theory focuses on the construction of an ideal society;Lu Xun's theory is a criticism of the society.Their ideas dwell on the necessity of keeping pace with the advancement of the world,which is still important nowadays.