On the afternoon of April 24, at the invitation of the School of Literature, Sun Keqiang, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor from Nankai University, delivered an academic lecture titled The Distinction between Elegance and Vulgarity in the History of Classical Chinese Literary Thought in Conference Room S305 of Yifu Building. The lecture was attended by over 100 faculty and students from the Office of Social Sciences, the School of Literature, the School of Marxism, and other units. It was chaired by Zhang Yan, Vice Director of the Office of Social Sciences.

During the lecture, Professor Sun Keqiang systematically elaborated on the two core connotations of the categories “elegance” (ya) and “vulgarity” (su). Tracing the evolution of literary thought through different dynasties, Professor Sun analyzed the intellectual characteristics of Confucianism, which values elegance and moral education, and Daoism, which values purity and detachment from worldly affairs. He pointed out that elegance and vulgarity are not diametrically opposed but exhibit a complex relationship characterized by opposition, symbiosis, interpenetration, and dynamic transformation. The resulting aesthetic propositions—such as venerating elegance while disparaging vulgarity, using vulgarity to express elegance, and appreciating both elegance and vulgarity—have profoundly influenced the development trajectory and aesthetic system of classical Chinese literature.

During the interactive Q&A session, faculty and students raised questions on topics such as the mechanism of mutual transformation between elegance and vulgarity, and the transition between elegance and vulgarity in Liu Yong’s ci poetry. Professor Sun answered each question thoroughly. This lecture provided valuable academic insights for faculty and students and promoted exchange and learning in the field of classical Chinese literary studies.

Source: NYNU Academic Activities (Chinese)

https://www.nynu.edu.cn/info/1048/31597.htm