Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 193-200.

• Studies in Western Literary Theory • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Seduction: from the "Aesthetic Stage" to the Postmodern Mirror: Baudrillard's Interpretation of Kierkegaard's Seduction

Shang Jingjian   

  1. School of Liberal Arts, Renmin University of China
  • Online:2017-09-25 Published:2018-10-17
  • About author:Shang Jingjian is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Liberal Arts, Renmin University of China. His main research field is literary theory.

Abstract: In his Seduction, Baudrillard interprets Kierkegaard's concept of seduction: he regards seduction as a behavior of the "aesthetic stage", including Don Juan's physical seduction and the spiritual seduction of Johannes, represented as the male's desire and seduction to women, and also as a guiding spirit of Socrates' maieutics and Jesus' sermons, while Baudrillard is concerned more about nature of women's seduction. He regards seduction as a game which disintegrates the hierarchy of gender, power and production with its superficiality and meaninglessness, from the post-modern perspective. He considers Johannes' seduction as an artificial strategy, which is the mirror image of the female seduction and therefore is a stronger reflection of the invincibility of seduction. His concept of seduction follows Kierkegaard's reflection on reason, and also highlights the postmodern deconstruction of seduction.

Key words: seduction, Kierkegaard, Baudrillard, "aesthetic stage", postmodern