Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism
No.1, 2025
The Transformation of Artistic Inquiry Methods and Their Transcendental Meaning
(Abstract)
Xie Na
The questioning of art ontology is one of the most fundamental, important, and controversial problems in the study of aesthetics, literature, and art. Solving these ontological issues and shifting away from traditional ontological thinking and questioning have become key challenges for contemporary art philosophy as it seeks to transform its theoretical paradigm by transcending metaphysics. The evolution of thinking modes and questioning approaches in art philosophy has always been interconnected and mutually generative. The progression of art philosophy has led to a transformation in its modes of questioning. These modes have shifted from “What is art?” to “How does art speak?” to “How does art exist?” Contemporary art philosophy abandons the “What is art?” questioning method, moves beyond the traditional ontological thinking characterized by materialization, logic, and conceptualization, and transcends the constraints of traditional metaphysical art philosophy. By rethinking the modes of inquiry and questioning in art philosophy, reflecting on and critiquing traditional art ontology, it becomes possible to break free from conventional thought patterns and problem frameworks. This, in turn, enables an exploration of the profound connections between the existence of art and human existence, while highlighting the practical existential significance of freedom in art aesthetics.