沃尔特·佩特的“为艺术而艺术”及其道德意义

Walter Pater's Art for Art's Sake and Its Moral Significance

沃尔特·佩特为艺术而艺术的唯美主义理论具有深刻的道德意义。佩特的唯美主义观点承继了康德的美学思想,他指出审美活动的最基本特点是它的无关利益性。佩特鼓励为艺术而艺术,正是基于审美活动的无关利益性。艺术是为欣赏而欣赏,欣赏的过程即是目的,目的和手段得到了统一。佩特倡导用审美的态度对待生活,是对现实生活中盛行的功利主义和目的论的质疑和平衡,表现了佩特唯美主义理论中所蕴含的道德关怀。

This paper deals with Walter Pater＇s aesthetic concept of art for art＇s sake and it moral significance from the perspective of Kant＇s aesthetic influence. Kant＇s analysis of beauty points out that the essential character of beauty is disinterestedness, and beauty yields the spectator disinterested and free satisfaction. Inheriting Kant＇s idea of disinterestedness, Pater proposes for art for art＇s sake. He celebrates the principle of beholding for the mere joy of beholding, for the process of which makes life a thing in which means and ends are identified. In this sense he elevates art as the principle of all higher morality. Pater＇s art for art＇s sake challenges the prevalent teleological orientation in reality, demonstrating the moral concern of his aesthetic theory.