Difference between revisions of "MofA Week 5: Music and the Metaphysical"
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*** as an artistic practice | *** as an artistic practice | ||
*** as a spiritual practice | *** as a spiritual practice | ||
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** Music in metaphysical discourse: Arabic philosophical writings concerning music | ** Music in metaphysical discourse: Arabic philosophical writings concerning music | ||
| + | *** Metaphysics: beyond physics. However, note that Arabic writings do not always separate the science of musical sound (physics) from metaphysical speculation (as we have done in this course). | ||
| + | *** Ethical/cosmological/therapeutic linkages via musical harmony (microcosm <-- music --> macrocosm). | ||
| + | *** Sources: Greek philosophy (Pythagoreans, Plato, Aristotle), Hellenistic trends (Gnostics, neo-Platonists). Arithmetic, elements of the body (four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile), elements of nature (earth, fire, air, water), seasons, astrological constellations, | ||
| + | *** Number (arithmetic) as foundation of all harmony: connected to the physical, spiritual, musical | ||
| + | *** ''Ya`qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi'' (d. 870), "philosopher of the Arabs" (he was of Arabian origin). Wrote 13 treatises on music, of which six survive. Music is one of the four mathematical sciences (geometry, astronomy, arithmetic, music). Exhibits ethical, cosmological, therapeutic approaches to music. Generalized theory of harmony: Music is linked to the universe through harmony, governing its macro- and microcosmic effects. Networks of correspondences: four strings of the oud (instrument of the philosophers). | ||
| − | + | *** ''The [http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/hmp/18.htm Ikhwan al-Safa]'' (Basra, Iraq, 10th century) provide a philosophical-scientific treatment of music (Fifth Epistle) within a comprehensive encyclopedia work. Note the prominent position of music in their [http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=101199#anchor9 division of scientific knowledge]. Music reflects harmony of the universe, as sounded in the harmony of the spheres, is related to astrology. Music also helps man to achieve spiritual equilibrium, creating inner harmony and fostering healing by balancing the four humors. | |
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| − | *** The [http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/hmp/18.htm Ikhwan al-Safa] (Basra, Iraq, 10th century) provide a philosophical-scientific treatment of music (Fifth Epistle) within a comprehensive encyclopedia work. Note the prominent position of music in their [http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=101199#anchor9 division of scientific knowledge]. Music reflects harmony of the universe, as sounded in the harmony of the spheres, is related to astrology. Music also helps man to achieve spiritual equilibrium, creating inner harmony and fostering healing by balancing the four humors. | ||
Revision as of 07:09, 6 February 2008
topics:
- Music and metaphysics
- Islamic religious (metaphysical) discourse concerning music's legitimacy (the music polemic)
- as an artistic practice
- as a spiritual practice
- Music in metaphysical discourse: Arabic philosophical writings concerning music
- Metaphysics: beyond physics. However, note that Arabic writings do not always separate the science of musical sound (physics) from metaphysical speculation (as we have done in this course).
- Ethical/cosmological/therapeutic linkages via musical harmony (microcosm <-- music --> macrocosm).
- Sources: Greek philosophy (Pythagoreans, Plato, Aristotle), Hellenistic trends (Gnostics, neo-Platonists). Arithmetic, elements of the body (four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile), elements of nature (earth, fire, air, water), seasons, astrological constellations,
- Number (arithmetic) as foundation of all harmony: connected to the physical, spiritual, musical
- Ya`qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi (d. 870), "philosopher of the Arabs" (he was of Arabian origin). Wrote 13 treatises on music, of which six survive. Music is one of the four mathematical sciences (geometry, astronomy, arithmetic, music). Exhibits ethical, cosmological, therapeutic approaches to music. Generalized theory of harmony: Music is linked to the universe through harmony, governing its macro- and microcosmic effects. Networks of correspondences: four strings of the oud (instrument of the philosophers).
- Islamic religious (metaphysical) discourse concerning music's legitimacy (the music polemic)
- The Ikhwan al-Safa (Basra, Iraq, 10th century) provide a philosophical-scientific treatment of music (Fifth Epistle) within a comprehensive encyclopedia work. Note the prominent position of music in their division of scientific knowledge. Music reflects harmony of the universe, as sounded in the harmony of the spheres, is related to astrology. Music also helps man to achieve spiritual equilibrium, creating inner harmony and fostering healing by balancing the four humors.
- al-Farabi
- Ibn Sina (d. 1037). Rejected cosmological and astrological theories, but embraced medical-musical theories.
- Correspondences: mode (maqam) - mood - season - disease
- al-Ghazzali
- Music in metaphysical (religious) practice
- Music in Islamic practice in Arabic-speaking regions
- Music in Church practices in Arabic-speaking regions
