明末清初江南士人的生活美学

Life Aesthetics of Jiangnan Scholars in the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties

古代士人日常生活美学的研究路径可以从这几个方向展开:以儒家文化为导向的生活美学,其推崇的礼仪在一定程度上通过日常生活显现出来;以道家文化为主导的生活美学则主张避世离俗,通过与世俗的疏离来获得生命意志的舒展。这两种生命美学此消彼长地影响着古代士人的生活。明末清初的江南士人的生活美学既非儒家或道家,也不是二者的调和,它呈现出新的生命形态:江南士人一方面看似萧然物外,在生活中表现出我行我素的超脱姿态;另一方面又对世俗化的生活流连忘返,极尽声色之乐。江南士人生活的审美精神,对现代文人及现代人的生活影响深远。

The scholars in ancient China were greatly influenced by Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism-oriented life aesthetics was generally reflected in daily life, while Taoism-oriented life aesthetics was characteristic of separation from secular life to realize individuality. These two major life aesthetics altered or replaced each other in the long history of China. The life style of Jiangnan scholars in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties was neither Confucian nor Taoist, and not even the reconciliation of the two. It was a new way of life. On one hand, Jiangnan scholars seemed to be aloof and detached from mundane affairs. On the other hand, they were enchanted by secular life and indulged in sensual pleasure. Their aesthetic attitude toward life has profound impact upon literati as well as the general public in modern times.