(03-02-2025, 07:49 AM)quintessentone Wrote: Interesting, can you point me to some sources or post examples?
I graduated music ed in 95? So 35 give or take years ago.
Here is a quick cheat search that illustrates some of what I am talking about. Though I vaguely remember much better and deeper examples. And the depth of symbolism I’ve got hundreds of hours invested on ats. Sigh. I wound go there anymore due to hacks.
Copilot:
1. **Plato**:
*"Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul."*
— *The Republic*, Book III
Plato emphasized that music isn't just a form of entertainment but a fundamental force that shapes character and morality. He believed that the right kind of music could promote virtue, while the wrong kind could lead to disorder.
2. **Aristotle**:
*"Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it."*
— *Politics*, Book VIII
Aristotle recognized that music evokes emotions and can influence one's ethical disposition. He advocated for musical education as a means to cultivate virtues and emotional well-being in individuals, especially the youth.
3. **Pythagoras**:
*"There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres."*
Pythagoras viewed music as a reflection of the cosmic order. He introduced the idea of the **"Music of the Spheres,"** suggesting that celestial bodies move according to mathematical equations, which correspond to musical notes and harmonies, resonating with the human soul.
4. **Damon of Athens** (a music theorist referenced by Plato):
*"When modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them."*
This quote highlights the belief that music has the power to influence societal norms and political structures. Damon and Plato agreed that alterations in musical styles could lead to shifts in moral and social order.
5. **Euripides**:
*"And through music, the soul learns harmony and rhythm and even a disposition to justice."*
In his plays, Euripides often explored how music and art can lead to catharsis—purging negative emotions and promoting psychological healing. He saw music as a vehicle for instilling balance and fairness within the individual.
1. **Plato on the Moral Impact of Art**:
Plato believed that visual art and statuary were powerful tools for shaping the moral character of individuals. In *The Republic*, he writes:
*"It is necessary for the young to dwell in a land of beauty, where they may drink in good from every noble statue and painting, like a breeze bearing health from salubrious regions."*
For Plato, the physical beauty of statues and symbols in temples or public spaces was a reflection of higher, moral ideals. Being surrounded by such imagery helped instill virtues like bravery, justice, and harmony.
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2. **Aristotle on Emotional Catharsis**:
Aristotle extended this idea in his concept of **catharsis** from *Poetics*, which can also apply to visual symbols and statuary. He argued that art, by depicting profound truths or invoking awe, could allow people to purge negative emotions like fear and pity. A statue of a heroic figure, for example, could inspire courage and reinforce societal values, providing both an emotional release and moral fortification.
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