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[Lecture Topic] The Aesthetic Mechanism and Discourse System of Traditional Chinese Vital Aesthetics

Interpreting the history of Chinese aesthetics from the perspective of contemporary vital aesthetics, aesthetics based on traditional vital thought can be termed traditional Chinese vital aesthetics. The philosophical paradigm of "understanding the essence and applying it," and "observing life through understanding the essence," fostered an aesthetic mechanism of observing life through its essence. This involves embodying the Dao, cultivating qi, refining the mind, and recognizing benevolence to observe life. The observed life is specifically manifested as biological phenomena, vitality, life force, life vigor, interest, ecology, and vividness. Based on the theory of the essence and application of vitalism, a series of propositions represented by "observing the biological phenomena of heaven and earth" and "the vitality of all things is most observable," along with aesthetic categories such as vitality and life force, collectively constitute the discourse system of traditional Chinese vital aesthetics. This is of great significance to the construction of an independent knowledge system for contemporary Chinese ecological aesthetics.

Lecture Information

【Lecture Topic】The Aesthetic Mechanism and Discourse System of Traditional Chinese Aesthetics of Life and Life

【Lecture Time】June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) 14:00-16:00

【Lecture Location】Conference Room, 3rd Floor, School of Arts, Jiulonghu Campus, Southeast University

【Speaker】Cheng Xiangzhan, 2017 Changjiang Scholar Professor appointed by the Ministry of Education, Expert enjoying special allowances from the State Council, Dual-appointed Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and the School of Arts, Sun Yat-sen University, Director of the Ecological Aesthetics Professional Committee of the Chinese Aesthetics Society, Standing Director of the Chinese Society for Literary Theory, Standing Director of the Ecolinguistics Professional Committee of the Chinese Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese, Standing Director of the Aesthetic Education Committee of the Chinese Higher Education Association, Member of the International Advisory Committee of the international English journal Contemporary Aesthetics

【Host】Cheng Wanli, Vice Dean of the School of Arts, Southeast University Professor, Doctoral Supervisor

Speaker Introduction: Cheng Xiangzhan, 2017 Changjiang Scholar Professor appointed by the Ministry of Education, expert enjoying special allowances from the State Council, dual-appointed professor and doctoral supervisor of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and the School of Arts, Sun Yat-sen University; Director of the Ecological Aesthetics Professional Committee of the Chinese Aesthetics Society; Standing Director of the Chinese Society for Literary Theory; Standing Director of the Ecolinguistics Professional Committee of the Chinese Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese; Standing Director of the Aesthetic Education Professional Committee of the Chinese Higher Education Association; Member of the International Advisory Committee of the international English journal *Contemporary Aesthetics*.

Meian Art Lecture Series: "One School, One Specialty" - Southeast University School of Arts

The "Meian Art Lecture Series," a series of activities with a unique focus on the "One School, One Specialty" approach, is rooted in the profound humanistic heritage and artistic tradition of Southeast University. Carefully planned by the School of Arts, it brings together the research achievements of the school's professors and scholars to create highly academic and artistic lectures. Using the iconic Mei'an Temple of Southeast University as a cultural symbol, the series aims to present the beauty of the fusion of art and scholarship through lectures, dialogues, and other forms. Ia