On The Aesthetic Thought Of Dao

Laozi created"Dao"to explore the origin of the universe. The great quality of"Dao"advanced the lever of beauty. It is so huge and sublime that Laozi felt that it was difficult to describe"Dao"in words when he tried to elucidate the intension and extension of"Dao". Laozi pursued the grand beauty of"Dao". And using"Da"to describe"Dao"just is the fact that"Dao"has the character of sublime."Da"had the closest approach to the core of"Dao". The aesthetics of Laozi is based on this philosophy."Da"exhibits beauties of sublimity, static, motion and diversity. "Dao"is a kind of artistic view which is grand and full of motion."De"is the ethical category which supplies the theory of"Dao". When Laozi used"Dao"to explore the root of the world and the origin of the universe, he always paid attention to the human and society. So Laozi's philosophy is constructed by"Dao"and"De"."De"is close to"Dao"and supplies the content of"Dao",so it is a part of the system of"Dao". In the domination of"Dao", aesthetic thought containing in the"De"cares about human beings.In the process of expounding Beauty, Laozi also used Virtue to supply the theory of"De". Laozi attached importance to show the spiritual role of Virtue. And its contents mainly focus on the cultivation of individuality. Virtue belongs to"De". And the best shape of Virtue refers to"De". Beauty and Virtue are two different concepts but correlate with each other. Beauty refers to spirit enjoyment beyond objectivity and"Dao"is the most beautiful state.The connection between Beauty and Virtue can be reflected by the relationship of"Dao"and"De". That is to say Beauty determines Virtue while Virtue supplies the content of beauty. Moreover, the aesthetic thought of"Dao"is also expressed by the imagery character in"Laozi". All of the Strong water, extensive valley and powerful vitality of babies show that Laozi considered"Dao"as the sublime beauty.