On the Principal Contents and Characteristics of Confucian Thought of Literary and Artistic Theory

Chinese literature possesses a unique system of literary sense. Its ideological origins should be traced back the Confucian school founded by Confucius. If we want investigate the sense of Chinese literature, it is necessary trace back Confucius. The Confucian thought of literary and artistic theory is epitomized in the parts discussing poetry and music in《the Confucian Analects》. Confucian thought of literary and artistic theory holds that literary and artistic essence is to reach the acme of perfection; its social function is to rejuvenate, observe, rally and complain, to wait upon one's monarch and parents and to have wide experience, its aesthetic ideal is the beauty of neutralizationand its content and form are have both literature and essence.