In Kant's Enlightenment In This Lifetime

As an important aesthetic theory in the history of Western thought, Aesthetic Salvation is a response, as well a reflection to the dilemma of modernity. It has produced significant and profound impact on contemporary aesthetic theory and artistic practice. Aesthetic Salvation is on behalf of an ideological spectrum rather than just being a point of view. The source of this ideological spectrum is Kant’s aesthetic theory. This paper aims to figure out that Kant’s aesthetic theory is the theoretical origin of Aesthetic Salvation, and then comb through a few main historical theories on Aesthetic Salvation which are inspired by Kant’s aesthetic theory. In the process of combing through all kinds of Aesthetic Salvation Theory, I have tried to fully tap the core significance and value of every one.Analyzing the current development status of aesthetics is a further task in this paper. I make an effort to point out the problem that the emotional experience is unilaterally emphasized while rationality is widely ignored in modern life. Finally, by a reflection to Kant’s theoretical value, we must follow the way of spiritual salvation which opened by Kant that Beauty leads to freedom. Also we have to restore the rational consciousness that represented by Kant. It is the only way to escape from the rational repression of humanity, and avoid the misleading by emotion.