A Thinking Matter: the Methodology of Aesthetic Education

Generally speaking,what are commonly known asthinking mattersinvariably belong to the sphere of philosophy,but aesthetic research as a new discipline which relies on philosophical aesthetics is undoubtedly classified as athinking matter. In this light,a discussion of the methodology of aesthetic education takes on prominent importance. This discussion focuses on a reexamination of the relationship betweenphilosophyandthinkingso as to ensure a firmer grasp of the developmental path of aesthetic education. Knowing that the world of factsand the world of valuesshare a blurred demarcation ,the point is to understand afresh the functions and values of these two epistemologies so that a self-critical post-metaphysics can be effectively built up in theafter-theoryera when the traditional dualist metaphysics has already crumbled. This undertaking is significant in that it not only lays a foundation for anew aestheticsbut also provides a platform for the construction of an attendant aesthetic education.