When you describe music as a "portable sanctuary" in Bradt’s chapter, it resonates with readers as a reflection on both art and Stoic practice. This piece draws meaningful connections between music therapy and Stoic values, offering readers a thought-provoking and accessible way to apply these insights to their lives.
There's a passage in the Republic where Socrates and Glaucon are talking about the relationship between different rhythms and kinds of life, and it's evident that the poetic metres (and 'feet,' the individual units of Greek verse) actually derive from dance steps made by, well, feet! (III.399c-400d). So closely are dance, literature, and ways of life connected - so it's no wonder that music is so profoundly intertwined with our souls.
Great metaphor! Yes, it seems that music and dance are basic to the human experience, which makes them very powerful tools for cultivating a good life.
Thanks Brittany really interesting and will get book. My non expert understanding is that it is that the response is also dependant on type of music. The brain is a predictive machine rather than response machine so music that defies predictions seems to have greater emotional response. For many, Bach chaos is often favoured over Mozart melodies for this reason and this also explains why jazz is so popular. Popular music tends to get its emotional response through lyrics rather than notes so it affects us differently. We seem to use more of our empathetic functions with the lyrics narrative. I don't know about the USA but here in Scotland children's musical education funding is being slashed and we are unfortunately not investing in most children's future. As most of the developed world becomes a gerontology like Scotland, spending most of their funding on older people's needs, it will be a struggle to level up and ensure that the vulnerable children benefit from the power of music to change their lives !
Yes, definitely read the book! There are chapters discussing each of these topics, and I think you will enjoy them all. Definitely plenty of food for thought (and action).
When you describe music as a "portable sanctuary" in Bradt’s chapter, it resonates with readers as a reflection on both art and Stoic practice. This piece draws meaningful connections between music therapy and Stoic values, offering readers a thought-provoking and accessible way to apply these insights to their lives.
There's a passage in the Republic where Socrates and Glaucon are talking about the relationship between different rhythms and kinds of life, and it's evident that the poetic metres (and 'feet,' the individual units of Greek verse) actually derive from dance steps made by, well, feet! (III.399c-400d). So closely are dance, literature, and ways of life connected - so it's no wonder that music is so profoundly intertwined with our souls.
Great metaphor! Yes, it seems that music and dance are basic to the human experience, which makes them very powerful tools for cultivating a good life.
When I read the advice, on using social media during Stoic week, to create a Stoic dance routine, I started composing a Stoic song :)
Awesome! Would you be willing to share it when you're finished? (No pressure if you don't want to share.)
I'll do that 👌
Thanks Brittany really interesting and will get book. My non expert understanding is that it is that the response is also dependant on type of music. The brain is a predictive machine rather than response machine so music that defies predictions seems to have greater emotional response. For many, Bach chaos is often favoured over Mozart melodies for this reason and this also explains why jazz is so popular. Popular music tends to get its emotional response through lyrics rather than notes so it affects us differently. We seem to use more of our empathetic functions with the lyrics narrative. I don't know about the USA but here in Scotland children's musical education funding is being slashed and we are unfortunately not investing in most children's future. As most of the developed world becomes a gerontology like Scotland, spending most of their funding on older people's needs, it will be a struggle to level up and ensure that the vulnerable children benefit from the power of music to change their lives !
Yes, definitely read the book! There are chapters discussing each of these topics, and I think you will enjoy them all. Definitely plenty of food for thought (and action).
Thanks Brittany- I hadn't seen your Melinda Latour article, so thanks for pointing it out.
Fyi as a music lover I've been collecting songs over the past year which I think clearly convey/mirror a range of Stoic views and principles.
Here's the playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2dXYsNEWD0sW3gwvELKQ3q?si=QFktoOEuT96bgVdAh8R5sw&pi=X_CR8afWTIWgL
:)
Really cool! I don't know some of these songs so I will enjoy going through the playlist. Thanks for sharing.