François Jullien's "In Praise of Blandness" argues that blandness, far from being an absence of qualities, is a positive and profound concept in Chinese thought and aesthetics, representing the harmonious union of all potential values. This undifferentiated foundation embodies change and offers an infinite opening for human expression. The book traces the development of blandness from its roots in Daoism and Confucianism through its integration into late-medieval literary and visual arts, demonstrating how these traditions, along with Buddhism, converge to highlight its significance.
The book invites readers to explore concrete examples and original texts that reveal the richness found in a "bland" sound, meaning, painting, or poem. By presenting blandness as the "undifferentiated foundation of all things," Jullien challenges Western notions that equate blandness with a lack of defining characteristics, prompting a reevaluation of this concept in light of Chinese philosophical and aesthetic traditions.
Key concepts
- Blandness as a positive quality — Blandness is presented not as an absence but as a harmoniously unified state of all potential values.
- Undifferentiated foundation of all things — Blandness is the fundamental, unformed basis from which all distinct qualities arise.
- Harmonious union of all potential values — Blandness embodies a state where diverse possibilities coexist without contradiction.
- Infinite opening into human expression — Blandness allows for boundless variety and development in taste and expression.