The Article reviewed is James Harold On the Ancient Idea that Music Shapes Character arguing the importance of music in human development and if music has effects on our moral and ethical character. James provides well-supported evidence on how ancient Chinese and Greek philosophers distinguished what “good” and “bad” music is by how it affects our emotions, attitudes, values, morals and shapes our character. James argues Chinese and Greek Philosophers ideas on why and why not music is an important influence on a human being's character. James examines if music can affect us negatively or positively, distinguished the properties music and how music shapes our thoughts, emotions, and character. James asks, does music affect our emotions and
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Ancient Philosophers have placed high social and moral values on art and music constituting art and music as an important influence on a person's moral character. James states an argument from Chinese philosopher Mozi that music is a waste of limited resources, and if individuals waste their time at these musical performances does not benefit an individual in any way. Many of the musical performances were large and costly due to the fact that these musical performances were of the nobility and special occasions (funerals, weddings, holidays, Kings, Etc.). Mozi states “If women delight in musical performances and spend their time listening to them, they will not be able to rise at dawn and retire in the evening, spinning and weaving to produce hemp, silk, linen, and other types of cloth” (2). Music helps human beings connect, and reflect feelings to the self and to the other; music helps us as human beings understand their capabilities and free themselves. Mozis argument about music is based on the cost and time used during musical performances and the benefits gained or lost during the musical performances and do not encompass the value music has on our character. James states the Confusions counter-arguments to Mozis arguments, but Confusions did not argue directly with Mozis argument that music is costly and produces no benefits, rather …show more content…
Once an individual finds music that resonates with their soul the individual's desire to hear the music becomes a habit. Once the habit of listening to the specific type of music has formed the values, and attitudes from the music reflect on the person's character. The main point I would like to establish is the importance of the musician, the musician sculpts the emotional field in which the listener steps into; the musician's morals, values, and attitude is reflected in the listener's character. A musician reflects their emotion and attitude to everyone else because music is created in the moment. Other art forms such as painting a sculpting are more difficult to connect with emotionally because the artistic presence left the piece of art after the creator finished. Musicians idolize past musicians and incorporate the techniques and styles of one another transforming music genres throughout the years. I will disagree that changes in music cause changes in character rather a change in character change the way an individual perceives the music. If the music a person once enjoyed evoked joy and because of an event in their life the music may evoke sadness. I will disagree with James’ argument that music can be categorized “good” or “bad” in how the music influences our moral character. I will argue that there are musicians with good and bad moral characters which reflects on their music.
Ancient Philosophers have placed high social and moral values on art and music constituting art and music as an important influence on a person's moral character. James states an argument from Chinese philosopher Mozi that music is a waste of limited resources, and if individuals waste their time at these musical performances does not benefit an individual in any way. Many of the musical performances were large and costly due to the fact that these musical performances were of the nobility and special occasions (funerals, weddings, holidays, Kings, Etc.). Mozi states “If women delight in musical performances and spend their time listening to them, they will not be able to rise at dawn and retire in the evening, spinning and weaving to produce hemp, silk, linen, and other types of cloth” (2). Music helps human beings connect, and reflect feelings to the self and to the other; music helps us as human beings understand their capabilities and free themselves. Mozis argument about music is based on the cost and time used during musical performances and the benefits gained or lost during the musical performances and do not encompass the value music has on our character. James states the Confusions counter-arguments to Mozis arguments, but Confusions did not argue directly with Mozis argument that music is costly and produces no benefits, rather …show more content…
Once an individual finds music that resonates with their soul the individual's desire to hear the music becomes a habit. Once the habit of listening to the specific type of music has formed the values, and attitudes from the music reflect on the person's character. The main point I would like to establish is the importance of the musician, the musician sculpts the emotional field in which the listener steps into; the musician's morals, values, and attitude is reflected in the listener's character. A musician reflects their emotion and attitude to everyone else because music is created in the moment. Other art forms such as painting a sculpting are more difficult to connect with emotionally because the artistic presence left the piece of art after the creator finished. Musicians idolize past musicians and incorporate the techniques and styles of one another transforming music genres throughout the years. I will disagree that changes in music cause changes in character rather a change in character change the way an individual perceives the music. If the music a person once enjoyed evoked joy and because of an event in their life the music may evoke sadness. I will disagree with James’ argument that music can be categorized “good” or “bad” in how the music influences our moral character. I will argue that there are musicians with good and bad moral characters which reflects on their music.