Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (2): 162-172.

• Aesthetics and Culture Studies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Riddle of Life and Death and Its Appearance on Vase Paintings: An Interpretation of the Essential Theme of the Pre-Socratic Cosmological Aesthetics

Wang Shunning   

  1. the Philosophy Department at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (Shanghai 200433, China)
  • Online:2017-03-25 Published:2017-11-11
  • About author:Wang Shunning, Ph.D, is an associate professor in the Philosophy Department at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (Shanghai 200433, China). Her main research interest is Western aesthetics.

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Abstract: The essential theme of Pre-Socratic cosmological aesthetics is the riddle of life and death. It shows that from the very beginning Pre-Socratic thoughts were not about the exploration into nature, but about life and death. Such a concern was conceived in Proto-Geometric and Geometric decorated pottery in the Dark ages, rather than derived from the writings of Hesiod and Homer.

Key words: Pre-Socratics, cosmological aesthetics, vase painting, Proto-geometric period, Geometric period