Variations on a Theme: Philosophy + Music module (PI42016)
In this module, we push past thinking of music as a mere metaphor for life to thinking about it as a metaphysics and style of life.
Philosophical engagements with music are as old as philosophy itself. Pythagoras is famous for his theory of the ‘harmony of the spheres’, and it has been claimed that many of Plato’s dialogues were written to be set to music.
This module explores this important relationship, and updates it to contemporary thinkers and concerns.
We will explore more than just the ‘aesthetic’ approaches, and we will engage with works a diverse range of thinkers, epochs, and traditions. We will consider not merely the ‘artistic’, ‘classical’, ‘ancient’, or ‘canonical’ dimensions of music, but everything from its mathematical and metaphysical dimensions, through to its political, cultural, performative, economic, existential, and revolutionary ones.
No technical knowledge of music or musicology is required for this module, simply an enjoyment of, and interest in, both philosophy and music. No forms of music are out of scope for discussion/investigation.
What you will learn
In this module you will:
- examine the historical and cultural importance of music as a human form of life
- push beyond an understanding of music as merely a metaphor for thinking towards music as an embodied way/style of thinking
- philosophically share, criticise, and theorise music with your peers on the module
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- read arguments and discuss complex philosophical problems
- critique and analyse music as more than just an accompaniment to philosophy
- share and argue your philosophical thoughts with your peers
Assignments / assessment
contribution to class playlist (15%)
- student will share a link to a piece of music with the class, accompanied by a 300-word reasoning this piece was selected for group listening/inquiry/discussion
- due in advance of the second class
- the piece can be from any genre or style of music and there is no lower threshold for piece length
- the upper threshold is 15 minutes
2,000 word essay (85%)
- 2,000-word essay that frames the student’s initial contribution to the above playlist in relation to:
- a selection of themes/thinkers/concepts discussed on the module
- at least one other contribution from the above-mentioned playlist
- due at the end of the module
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
Teaching is conducted via:
- lectures
- seminars