Music in Philosophy

Discussion of articles that appear in the magazine.

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Philosophy Now
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Music in Philosophy

Post by Philosophy Now »

Ralph Blumenau tells us what great thinkers said about great music.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/108/Mu ... Philosophy
thedoc
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Re: Music in Philosophy

Post by thedoc »

I don't agree that there is a hierarchy of artistic forms, only that each is a different medium of expression. Art can be expressed in different mediums, but one is not better than the other.
marjoram_blues
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Re: Music in Philosophy

Post by marjoram_blues »

This article is limited in scope. The author cites lack of resources as main culprit. Stops off early and bemoans a wide gap...

There's an interesting summary of 18-20th century aesthetics of music in wiki.
It's a specialist subject, so hardly surprising that it was given scant attention by the Great and Dead philosophers. About the great gap - probably philo of music was more of an offshoot in the field of music itself. Probably best look there...

The first modern philosopher that came to my mind was Roger Scruton (perhaps not a 'household' name, but which philosopher is?)
There is a kind of snobbery at play here.

Music as a philosophy and an active partner in social progress, or otherwise, could lead to a more fascinating natter.
I'm thinking of whoever moved to bring Europe together - musically - after the World Wars.

Yes, no less than the...don't laugh...the annual Eurovision Song Contest :wink:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest
It's a hoot, and an affront to 'real' music, some would say. I've watched it ( off and on ) from 'Puppet on a String' to this year's 'Heroes' by Sweden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-msutN_OkU4
Visually stunning :shock:
which narrowly beat Russia's 'A Million Voices'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2gbKglCL5s

'Building bridges' was Vienna's logo. It does that to an extent - but wow, the voting system and audience reaction when Russia nearly won ! We've some way to go...
Personally, I loved the more classic Italian entry - il Volo's ' Grande Amore' 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1f6o1HQBvg

So, how music is used in a philosophical/social sense. Always of interest. The history of what the great and the dead thought, not so much.
But then again -it's all a matter of taste...
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