A Reflection on the Theory of “Sedimentation” and a Reinterpretation of “New Sensuousness”

Despite its significant influence in contemporary Chinese aesthetics and philosophy, the theory of “sedimentation” has serious flaws. First of all, this theory upholds the idea that sensuousness is the result of the accumulation of reason, which has given rise to the excessive rationalization of aesthetics. Secondly, the sedimentation of content fails to take into consideration the unique origins of form which do not depend upon the content. Thirdly, “Practice” ought not to be understood as action being carried out according to reason, but as “sensuous activity”. The present article concludes with a discussion centered on “new sensuousness”, and argues that this concept can neither be seen as a “sensuous presentation of reason”, nor as a passionate outburst of primal instincts. “New sensuousness” is in fact an accumulation of sensuous experience, the renewal of sensuous vitality, and the interaction between sensuousness and reason.