CLS2860

Music and philosophy

Alexander Garc'a Düttmann

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this course students should have: developed an appropriate philosophical discourse, background and understanding to discuss effectively the question of the possibility of aesthetics; read widely and thought deeply about the issues involved in this topic and acquired the conceptual foundations for further study; developed an enhanced competence in presenting their ideas and in reading and writing logically and persuasively.

Synopsis In this subject we will be looking at philosophical writings on music and musicians, as well as at the relevance that music, a non-conceptual language, may have for philosophy. We will start with Schopenhauer's views on music and move through Nietzsche's reflections on music to Theodor Adorno's contribution to this topic. Finally, the work of Deleuze and Barthes will be considered. Thinking about the relationship between music and philosophy means raising a general question that students interested in art and literature cannot ignore. This question may be put in the following terms: how can we speak about that which seems to resist conceptual language?

Assessment Participation in discussion, (equivalent to 1200 words): 20%
* Class papers, (equivalent to 2400 words): 40%
* Essay (2400 words): 40%

Prescribed texts

Adorno F W Introduction to the philosophy of modern music Seabury P
Adorno F W Mahler U Chicago P
Adorno F W Quasi una Fantasia Norton
Deleuze G and Guattari F A thousand plateaus U Minnesota P
Nietzsche F The birth of tragedy Vintage
Schopenhauer A The world as will and representation Dover
Students will also be advised to buy from the centre a short collection of key extracts from earlier texts relevant to the subject.