A Study Of Zhu Guangqian’s Thoughts Of "Youth And Aesthetic Education"

As one of the most important aestheticians in China in the twentieth century and one of the important representatives of modern aesthetic education theories,Zhu Guangqian devoted his whole life to youths.In view of the characteristics of the young and many questions they encounter in their life,Zhu Guangqian wrote many books,in which he connected aesthetics with life.He expressed his ideas in a popularized way to guide the young to correctly view their life just like their friend,and foster sound values and outlook of the world and life from the perspective of aesthetic education.He accumulated a lot of experience in this field and proposed valuable suggestions,which are worthy spreading today.This paper elaborates on Zhu Guangqian’s thoughts in three aspects: in terms of youths and self-cultivation,the author addresses problems related to interest cultivation,dynamism and quietude,and balance between sense and sensibility;in terms of youths and society,the author discusses problems related to communication in groups,circle of friends,romantic relationship and marriage;in terms of youths and the ideal of life,the author explores problems of reality and aspiration,engagement in society and detachment from society,and evaluation.Self-cultivation,society,and the ideal of life form a gradually integrated system in aesthetic education,covering the whole process of their growth.This ideological system of Zhu Guangqian makes an important contribution to the popularization of aesthetics and aesthetic education among young people.