anderson@uwvax.ARPA (05/31/84)
<> > First of all, when we talk of music, we are speaking of a much larger > field known as aesthetics (of course everyone knows that). Aesthetics > can and does take on an unbelievably varied number of roles in society > and it is not only the aestheticians responsibility, but the average > person's as well to decide what that role should or can be. > .....................It is impossible to > listen to music without some sort of theory or "philosophy" if you will > about what it is doing for you. > Once you make a decision about what art is to you, there is an > implicit value judgement placed on all aesthetics and what role they > play in our society and culture (or what role the should play). This is > why I say that all art is by nature within the realm of philosophy. > Tom Twiss My comments: 1) Adopting an aesthetic does not imply judgement of other aesthetics or of the social role of aesthetics. 2) Not everyone has a fixed aesthetic with respect to music appreciation (if they were forced to think about it they might come up with one, but as it is the musical experience may be strictly emotional or sensuous). 3) There are many aspects to music and art (such as the technical and mechanical aspects) which have nothing at all to do with aesthetics or philosophy. I understand what you're saying, and it would be more or less true if everyone were a philosophy major and had to write a term paper on the aesthetics of music. As it is, however, I think you're taking the importance of systematization too far. David Anderson (wisc-rsch!anderson)
gtaylor@cornell.UUCP (Greg Taylor) (05/31/84)
The redoubtable Mr. Anderson has done an excellent job of throwing some light on the fine points of Tom Twiss' comments on aeesthetics. However, his point still holds, and is, I think, strengthened somewhat if one takes the criticisms into account. All Tom is trying to suggest is that there are a selection of judgements (ad hoc, well thought out beforehand, or implicit) that underpin one's experiences---even if one claims that there aren't. That in itself constitutes a claim about experiences. While I understand his comment about not having a degree in philosophy ( I don't either, but as a musician, listener, et. al. I have to talk about those experiences in a clear manner ) being no impediment to hearing music, it comes across as with the faintest whiff of "These 'heavy thinker' types get me down...I don't think, I listen." I do hope that's not so, as he's obviously the very sort of clear thinker that I'd like to see engaged in a discussion on music with. gtaylor