Introductory description

Music has a central role in our lives, and for many it is something which has great value. But why do we care about music and why do we think it is valuable? What is it about music that makes us listen to it? What makes it so compelling? This module will approach these questions through an examination of debates in philosophy about the nature and value of music.
We will begin with what music is: what makes something music? Can any sequence of sounds be music? Should we draw a distinction between ‘sound art’ and music proper or does that reflect a cultural prejudice?
Next we will focus on our understanding and appreciation of music. What is it to understand a piece of music? Do you need to have musical knowledge in order to truly appreciate it, or does musical understanding operate at a more basic level? A central theme of this module is that understanding music involves imagination. One way it does it through the connection of music and emotion. It is often suggested that music engages with emotion in a special way. How should we understand that? We will look at a number of theories, in particular the view that music connects to emotion through imagination.
Answering the questions about musical understanding will lead us to the question of the value of music: why is music valuable and does its value consist in the simple fact that we enjoy listening to it? That doesn’t seem enough to explain the great investment people make in music, but can we make sense of the idea it that music has some other kind of value?
Finally, we will consider the nature of a musical work. Although often regarded as a form of art, Philosophers have argued that composers cannot create a musical work, but only discover it. That is a counter-intuitive claim, so what is it about musical works that has led some to defend it, and how is it consistent with the idea that music is a creative art?

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• What is music?
• Music as autonomous and the acousmatic thesis.
• Music and meaning.
• Music and emotion.
• Expressive music.
• Music and imagination.
• The value of music.
• Musical works.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of the module students should have an understanding of the central debates about the nature of and our understanding of music, and should be able to clearly articulate the opposing positions in those debates. They should be able to provide arguments in support of those different positions, and to be coherently set out and defend those arguments.
• They should have a good understanding of the key literature, and have a good understanding of the central concepts that frame the debates. They should be able to critically evaluate the arguments for and against the positions defended in the key literature.
• Students should be able to analyse and critically evaluate the key ideas and arguments discussed during the module, and come to an independent assessment of their merits with the aid of key literature. Students should be able to identify and draw on additional literature beyond the key literature discussed in class.
• By the end of the module students should be able to discuss clearly the issues raised by their reading of the key literature. They should be able to engage with and evaluate this literature in a way that demonstrates relevant and appropriate philosophical skills. They should be able to identify and draw on additional literature beyond the key literature discussed in class
• Students should also to be able draw connections between the key ideas and arguments in the debates in the aesthetics of music to wider debates in aesthetics.

Indicative reading list

Kivy - Music, Language, and Cognition
Kivy - Introduction to the Philosophy of Music
Levinson - Contemplating Art - essays in section II
Levinson - Music, Art, and Metaphysics - essays in part 3
Davies - Themes in the Philosophy of Music
Budd - Music and the Emotions
Scruton - The Aesthetics of Music
Scruton - Understanding Music - part 1

Subject specific skills

The ability to understand, analyse and criticise philosophical ideas and arguments. The ability to develop an understanding of key philosophical debates in the aesthetics of music.

Transferable skills

The ability to argue, analyse complex ideas, and write clearly. The ability to grasp complex ideas and arguments, identify their strengths and weaknesses and write about them in a structured manner.