Dialectics of spontaneity : the aesthetics and ethics of Su Shi (1037-1101) in poetry / by Zhiyi Yang.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- 1 The Poet as a Perfect Mirror -- 2 The Making of Spontaneity in a Work of Art -- 3 Eloquent Stones -- 4 Return to an Inner Utopia -- 5 The Spontaneous Body -- Towards a Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index.

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In Dialectics of Spontaneity , Zhiyi Yang examines Su Shi's poetry on art and connoisseurship, his emulation of Tao Qian in exile poetry, and his inner alchemical practice. She argues that the concept of absolute spontaneity is defined negatively, and artistic and ethical spontaneity which can be actualized must be provisional and conditioned. This book argues that Su Shi's lyrical persona of a 'spontaneous genius' is a construction that serves various rhetorical and existential purposes. Making use of Su's prolific works and referring to a broad scope of Western philosophy, this book not only enriches the literature on Su Shi, but further attempts to engages Chinese literature in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Description based on print version record.