Hello and welcome back. In this module, we will discuss the relation between music and ethics. We will discuss this relation in a couple of ways. We will address the relation between music and virtue, music and hospitality, and music and what is called Bildung. Now, this lecture is meant to introduce this relation, so when we dive into them, we'll be well-prepared. So let's start with a clip most of you will probably know. [MUSIC] It's the Eye of the Tiger, this music gets under your skin. It somehow stimulates and motivates you to reach deep and get the best out of yourself. I think we all recognize that music can an effect on our behavior and conduct. But the next step is to see that some, or perhaps most of this behavior, that has been affected by music is behavior that we judge to be good or bad. It isn't only that the Eye of the Tiger might push you to get on your feet and train harder, it's also the case that not being lazy, persevering, and keeping promises you made to yourself are considered to be examples of good behavior. Thus, music in this way can promote good behavior, and in the opposite direction, music may, arguably, also promote bad behavior. The observation that music affects behavior, that we might choose to be good or bad, is quite old. And one of the first ones to make this observation is the Greek philosopher Plato. In the lecture on music and virtue, we will take a closer look at the power music has to influence ethical behavior. And example of good behaviour is hospitality. Hospitality refers to the open respectful and caring attitude towards the other that manifest itself by taking someone into your home. The words other and home are interesting here, because they leave room for interpretation. The other can refer to another person, another group of persons, but also to something that is unknown, such as another culture, or other music. Now, the word home is also open for interpretation, it can literally mean home, as in the house one lives in. However, home can also mean country, culture, religion, ideology, sports club, and even certain forms of music. And in this sense, home has less to do with the location, and more to do with the feeling of belonging and safety. Let's listen for example to this. [MUSIC] This famous John Denver song is a tribute to home. Not only the location, West Virginia, not only the Blue Ridge Mountains, but also the place I belong. But to take this a step further, for some of you, this song itself represents a sort of home. Because the country guitar, John Denver's accent, and lyrics are all features of a culture some of you would describe as home. For others, this song may not represent home at all. However, like a hospitable host we may nevertheless be open and respectful to this music, and to try to take it in like one is taking in a guest in one's home. Treating music as the other, as the guest, may thus be valuable, because it encourages us to treat music with openness and respect. In the lecture on music and hospitality we will further explore this hospitable attitudes towards music. The last topic will be the relation between music and what is called Bildung. In this lecture, we will zoom in on the two ways of assessing the value of music and music education. The first way would be to assess the value of music by referring to its use. For example: [MUSIC] The value of this music can be described by referring to its use. Namely, to make the short trips we have at the elevator more agreeable. In our day and age, it's quite common to establish the value of something by referring to its use. Something is valuable if it's useful to me and vice versa. However, not only philosophers, but also artists, writers, cultural figures, and all kinds of other people have criticised this way of establishing the value of art and music. What, for example, is the use of this. [MUSIC] Some might say, well, its use is to inspire me or to calm me down after a busy day. Perhaps, this music can offer consolidation. However, the fact that it might inspire someone or calm someone down is no reason to assume that it's written with that purpose. Some would argue that value and use are here detached. From a Bildung perspective, what is relevant is not use, what is relevant in music is that it can build our character, and enable us to flourish into humane and culturally invested individuals. That's instead of using music to satisfy desires, music becomes the source of value itself. By listening, playing, and learning to play music, we are encouraged to develop into culturally richer human beings who learn to live according to praiseworthy ideals. This makes Bildung also a topic of ethics, as reflecting about praiseworthy ideals and values, is part of ethical reflection. Perhaps you disagree that there is such a thing as praiseworthy ideals and values. Perhaps you think that music should be a way to actually criticize, rather than glorify, ideals and values. In the lecture music and Bildung we will zoom in on this idea. I hope this introduction helped you to have a better idea about the topics we will address during this module. So I hope to see you next time. All the best, bye.
