1) On Lao Tzu, Mo Tzu, and Hsun Tzu, how do they differ in relation to what counts as harmonizing? Do you think that harmony exists empirically or is it merely a rationalist's dream (are you skeptical of harmony's existence)?
On the topic of how music relates to bringing harmony to the world, Hzun Tzu has a more positive outlook on how music can actually bring about harmony to a society. He believes that music actually correlates with harmony for it acts as common ground that every single citizen can empathize with, because everyone agrees on the joy of music. Mo Tzu on the other hand believes that music simply distracts a society from harmony, rather than benefit. Music is an expensive distraction to becoming efficient and productive members of society, which by his definition means working to the best of your ability. Lao Tzu doesn’t specifically speak about the topic of music, but – as a strong believe in Daoism – he says that being free of desire and self-interest will bring about harmony. He also mentions “Myriad things, backed by yin and embracing yang. Achieve harmony by integrating their energy” (Tao Te Ching, 42) and “Due to the optimum of harmony. Knowing harmony is said to be …show more content…
Instead of having to worry about what is right and wrong and whether God or an afterlife exists can become a little stressful, and leaving things in a state of doubt and accepting that you won’t know these things for sure can bring about peace of mind for some. However, I can’t see myself empathizing with Epictetus’s idea of happiness at all. Feeling sad, happy, jealous, angry, and embarrassed does have its ups and downs, but its part of living and being truly alive. If you completely detach yourself from this world and its people than one might as well not even live. “Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at
On the topic of how music relates to bringing harmony to the world, Hzun Tzu has a more positive outlook on how music can actually bring about harmony to a society. He believes that music actually correlates with harmony for it acts as common ground that every single citizen can empathize with, because everyone agrees on the joy of music. Mo Tzu on the other hand believes that music simply distracts a society from harmony, rather than benefit. Music is an expensive distraction to becoming efficient and productive members of society, which by his definition means working to the best of your ability. Lao Tzu doesn’t specifically speak about the topic of music, but – as a strong believe in Daoism – he says that being free of desire and self-interest will bring about harmony. He also mentions “Myriad things, backed by yin and embracing yang. Achieve harmony by integrating their energy” (Tao Te Ching, 42) and “Due to the optimum of harmony. Knowing harmony is said to be …show more content…
Instead of having to worry about what is right and wrong and whether God or an afterlife exists can become a little stressful, and leaving things in a state of doubt and accepting that you won’t know these things for sure can bring about peace of mind for some. However, I can’t see myself empathizing with Epictetus’s idea of happiness at all. Feeling sad, happy, jealous, angry, and embarrassed does have its ups and downs, but its part of living and being truly alive. If you completely detach yourself from this world and its people than one might as well not even live. “Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at