| This study attempts to explore Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory from both macro and micro perspectives.A diachronic and synchronic investigation of his theory is also made in this paper to reveal a developmental and coherent process of its construction.Besides,this paper expounds the meanings and characteristics of his aesthetic liberation theory to shed light on its theoretical and practical value.Lastly,this paper discusses some problems of Marcuse’s^theory.Specifically the paper proceeds in the following five chapters:The first chapter is devoted to discussing Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory from a macro perspective.Firstly,by conducting a tracing study of the concept of "aesthetic liberation",this study attempts to sort out the development of aesthetic liberation thought,so as to form a general understanding of "aesthetic liberation",and understanding and clarifying the consistency and the continuous relationship between Marcuse’s aesthetic thoughts and the aesthetic liberation thoughts in diachronic comparison.Secondly,by analyzing several different viewpoints about the germination period of Marcuse’s aesthetic thought,it can illustrate the rationality that Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thought begins in the early days of his academic research.And through the analysis of his specific works,it is clear to see the continuity and development of his aesthetic thoughts.Finally,it discusses the social background and theoretical background of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory,which shed light on the reasons for its formation and its practical significance.The second chapter examines the theoretical origin of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thought from a diachronic perspective,and understands the development and construction of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thought.This chapter basically discusses the five theoretical sources of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thoughts in chronological order.Through the introduction of them,we can more clearly notice the influence of different theories on Marcuse ’s aesthetic liberation thought and the relationship between them.From another perspective,we can understand the development of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation.The third chapter discusses the theoretical structure of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thought from a synchronic perspective,which mainly discusses the goal of his aesthetic liberation thought,the main force and the means to realize liberation.Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory emphasizes the realization of human freedom and happiness through aesthetic liberation.As far as the main forces are concerned,Marcuse mentioned"elite" and "mass","proletariat" and "new left" which are the main forces of aesthetic liberation.However he has a contradictory attitude towards the above-mentioned liberation forces.In the end,he believes that aesthetic liberation can only be achieved through the "association of free people." The means to achieve aesthetic liberation is eros liberation and new sensibility.Their specific practice is manifested in realizing social liberation through cultural critique.Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory appears to be structurally rigorous,but actually it has the characteristics of teleology.The fourth chapter is to understand his aesthetic liberation thought by discussing Marcuse’s outlook on art.Marcuse’s view of art can be firstly seen in his emphasis on"aesthetic form",which is a direct and concrete manifestation of Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation thought.It requires both aesthetic self-discipline and political appeal of aesthetic art.Secondly,Marcuse’s outlook on art shows his different understanding of"reality".He believes that the "reality" of art is the alienity of art,which is more real than"reality".Moreover,his artistic view reflects strong critical and negative characteristics,but this criticism and denial is not a complete "great rejection".It is actually a dialectical negation,both negative and affirmative.The fifth chapter mainly discusses two reflections on Marcuse’s aesthetic liberation theory.The first is the thinking of "people" in his aesthetic liberation theory.The"people" in Marcuse’s theory includes both concrete person and abstract people,which makes his aesthetic liberation thought utopian.Secondly,as for the issue of "art demise",Marcuse recognizes that certain specific art forms and artistic styles will perish,but he denies the disappearance of art per se,because he believes that art will continue to develop itself through the dialectical negation of its aesthetic forms.This view is also consistent with his understanding of the essence of aesthetics. |
