Abstract:

This lecture explores the multifaceted significance of the qin 琴 or guqin 古琴 for ancient Chinese literati in terms of self-cultivation and political ambitions, drawing from the instrument’s role in relation to the literati’s three identities – as poets, philosophers, and officials. It incorporates extant ancient qin instruments and other surviving materials as well as literary records to clarify these different dimensions, while also examining the unique value of the qin within the literati’s life-world in comparison to other art forms such as painting.

Speaker’s Bio:

Dr Xiao Ouyang (欧阳霄) is an Assistant Professor at the Philosophy Department of Peking University, China. He mainly works on comparative philosophy and is interested in various topics in aesthetics & philosophy of art, ethics and political philosophy. He has publications on journals such as Philosophy East and West, Monumenta Serica and History of Chinese Philosophy.​ Besides academic work, he devotes himself to Chinese classical poetry, calligraphy, and literati music. His latest publication is a translated work “玄思: 领悟自然与人生” with the Commercial Press (商务印书馆).