Abstract
In the history of western aesthetics, the concept of subjectivity determines the construction of body image. As the concept of subjectivity varies, the body is accordingly represented as subject, object or subject-object. Since the generalized primitive schema of body was discarded, the construction of body image in Greek aesthetics developed in two directions, one being the understanding of body as a pure object, and the other being the understanding of body as taking the double role of subject and object. The former was represented by Socrates, Plato, Epictetus and Plotinus, while the latter was represented by Democritus, Aristotle, Epicurus and Lucretius. Although both groups took body as container, the difference between their concepts of subjecthood resulted in different body-image. This paper analyzes the two types of body-image, and points out that the two different modes of subjecthood are shown as the soul-subjecthood and the body-soul-union subjecthood. The paper claims that the two modes have inserted profound influence on the construction of body aesthetics in the West.
First Page
74
Last Page
82
Recommended Citation
Wang, Xiaohua. 2012. "The Concept of Subjectivity and the Body Image in Ancient Greek Aesthetics." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 32, (6): pp.74-82. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol32/iss6/10
