Plato on Music, Soul and Body

Offers a new perspective from which to study the relationship between soul, body and music in Plato's philosophy.

Francesco Pelosi (Author), Sophie Henderson (Translated by)

9780521760454, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 October 2010

238 pages
22.9 x 15.5 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

Plato's reflection on the relationship between soul and body has attracted scholars' attention since antiquity. Less noted, but worthy of consideration, is Plato's thought on music and its effects on human beings. This book adopts an innovative approach towards analysing the soul-body problem by uncovering and emphasising the philosophical value of Plato's treatment of the phenomenon of music. By investigating in detail how Plato conceives of the musical experience and its influence on intelligence, passions and perceptions, it illuminates the intersection of cognitive and emotional functions in Plato's philosophy of mind.

Introduction
1. Musical education of sensibility
2. Moving to music: a therapy for the rational soul
3. Musical education of rationality
4. Music in the body and soul
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Early music [up to c 1000 CE AVGC1]