Introduction

Hello everyone. My name is Maria Pascual. I am a junior biology/pre-med major. I have no previous experience in the philosophy of music, but I have played the piano for a few years, so at least I have a background in music. I believe that this class will be interesting, for I will like to analyze the different viewpoints of the definition of music. Isn't that one of the central questions of the philosophy of music? What is music? Is it a complex combination of melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, and silence in a particular structure (Hanslick)? An event that can be either noise or silence (Cage)? A total social event (Higgins)? Something in which truth has set itself to work (Heidegger)?
In addition, why do we have music? Is music just a human phenomenon? What is the purpose of music? Is music the same throughout all cultures? Can music be a unifying act? Can music be aesthetically considered in an objective manner? Is one genre of music superior to others? Can the aesthetics and ethics of music be considered in combination? Has modern society lost a valuable appreciation of music?
By taking this course, I hope to gain answers to these questions. I would like to study the theories proposed by several philosophers and musicians on these topics. In addition, I look forward to the various music pieces that Professor Langguth will introduce to class. I am sure they will give me the opportunity to reevaluate some of my preconceived notions of music and consider new ideas, thereby broadening my horizons.