Abstract: Li Zhi’s musical aesthetic thought has the spirit of anti-feudalism and anti-feudal rites. Compared with the ancient Chinese traditional musical aesthetic thoughts of Confucianism and Taoism, Li Zhi’s thought has certain progressive and democratic spirit. His musical aesthetic thought is not only a criticism and absorption of Confucian ritual and music thought, but also a transformation and integration of Taoist natural music theory. A comparative study of Li Zhi’s musical aesthetic thought with the Confucian and Taoist musical aesthetic thoughts can enable us to reinterpret and understand the evolution of Chinese traditional musical aesthetic thoughts from “beginning with affection, and ending with‘Li’”and“inactivity and gentleness”into“beginning with affection and character, out of nature”and“people-oriented and heart-oriented”by reformation and fusion, which can provide valuable information and a brand new perspective to study the contemporary Chinese music aesthetics.

Key words: Li Zhi; musical aesthetic thoughts; Confucian musical aesthetic thoughts; Taoist musical aesthetic thoughts