청말민초(淸末民初) 제1세대 미학자들의 일본을 통한 미학사상의 수용과 재해석: 『판단력비판』 ‘Geschmack’개념의 해석을 중심으로

Abstract

This study analyzes the purpose and cause of the indirect acceptance of aesthetics, a new modern study from Europe, by the first-generation of Chinese intellectuals, led by scholars who studied in Japan during the period between the end of the Qing dynasty (1897-1912) and the early Republican period (1912-1949). Furthermore, this research subsequently analyzes how they reinterpreted aesthetic theories through the concept of “Geschmack” in Critique of Judgement. Aesthetics was established as a part of the modern and contemporary academic system with the movement of Enlightenment in the 18th century. The early modernization of the country was led by some representatives of the Enlightenment, and specifically, the first generation of intellectuals who studied in Japan formed the main pillars of the movement. During this period, the Chinese intellectuals that studied in Japan - mainly led by the members of The Creation Society (Chuangzaoshe 創造社) - used literature (including works on aesthetics) as a means of realizing the Enlightenment with the goal of anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism, which took the form of active social participation of the “literary movement”. As for the acceptance and development of aesthetic theory, the influence of first-generation intellectuals studying in Japan was enormous, and their achievements can be largely summarized as “acceptance of aesthetic theory through Japanese translation and interpretation” and “skeptical review and reinterpretation of Japanese translation and interpretation.” The process of establishing an independent aesthetic theory system in China can be largely classified into the following three stages: ① The stage of acceptance of Japanese translations, optional use and modification. ② The stage of reinterpretation of Japanese translations through the concepts of Chinese philosophy and the development of the aesthetic education (美育) ideology. The stage of direct translation of aesthetic terms by the Chinese philosophical concept. The attempts of the first generation of modern intellectuals from China to organize their own aesthetic ideas or aesthetic theories through acceptance of aesthetics and critical review of it are worth mentioning in the process of establishing an independent theory of aesthetics stemming from their own cultural and philosophical origin in Korea.