Acquiring a Deep Understanding of Zhou Zongdai by Studying His The True Essence of Beauty

The discussion on The True Essence of Beauty , which was started in the circles of aesthetics in the 1980's is still going on today. The arguers have always held two different views: in objectivity and in subjectivity, that is, theory on objects and theory on subjects. Zhou Zongdai's The True Essence of Beauty supports the theory on subjects. It takes Marx's Economics and Philosophy in 1844, and bases itself on the various nations, their cultural qualities and the aesthetic practice of many kinds of art in different ages, and on the achievements of scientific researches on man's physiology and psychology. It proposes discussions about beauty cannot be separated from man. If we know very well the idea that is the evaluation of the object by the subject and is a modifier, it will be easy to straighten out the complicated aesthetic phenomena and grasp the law of aesthetics. The book embodies its author's enriched experience in aesthetic practice, profound theoretical knowledge and meticulous logical thinking.