Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency
This article addresses the inherently relational nature of musical agency, drawing upon interdisciplinary research. It argues that music does not exist in isolation but within social and emotional contexts shaped by a network of relationships among musicians. These interactions create a collaborativ...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Philosophies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/9/6/183 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850084894541086720 |
|---|---|
| author | Chiara Palazzolo |
| author_facet | Chiara Palazzolo |
| author_sort | Chiara Palazzolo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article addresses the inherently relational nature of musical agency, drawing upon interdisciplinary research. It argues that music does not exist in isolation but within social and emotional contexts shaped by a network of relationships among musicians. These interactions create a collaborative space that transcends mere technical execution, fostering a collective experience enriched by shared sensitivity and emotional engagement. Consequently, musical practice, whether compositional or performative, entails a moral responsibility, particularly challenging the perspectives of Levinas; Bauman; and Wilde, who traditionally separated art from ethics. As outlined in Nielsen and Cobussen’s work “music contributes to a better understanding of one’s place within the world, and thus, to an ethical sensibility”, emphasizing how musical practice cultivates ethical awareness through its relational nature. Music is thus conceived as a moral endeavor, where care extends not only to the music itself but also to the individuals involved in its creation and performance. Moreover, this moral responsibility extends to future generations, as musical tradition is conceived as a temporal bridge linking the past, the present, and the future. The tradition is composed of individuals actively engaged in the practices that shape the tradition or traditions. Musicians bear an intergenerational responsibility toward those who will inherit and reinterpret current practices—a responsibility not grounded in direct reciprocity, but in what Randall describes as “conceptual ties”. The continuity of musical tradition and its aesthetic value depend on the care and responsibility each generation shows toward both the participants and the evolving cultural products of this process. Thus, the discussion elucidates the ethical dimensions of musical agency and practice, particularly in Western classical music, and highlights how our obligations to future generations are intrinsic to the practice itself, thereby contributing to broader debates on intergenerational care ethics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7aab415fe8a94a49b615d29bbbc24664 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2409-9287 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Philosophies |
| spelling | doaj-art-7aab415fe8a94a49b615d29bbbc246642025-08-20T02:43:54ZengMDPI AGPhilosophies2409-92872024-12-019618310.3390/philosophies9060183Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical AgencyChiara Palazzolo0Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, RM, ItalyThis article addresses the inherently relational nature of musical agency, drawing upon interdisciplinary research. It argues that music does not exist in isolation but within social and emotional contexts shaped by a network of relationships among musicians. These interactions create a collaborative space that transcends mere technical execution, fostering a collective experience enriched by shared sensitivity and emotional engagement. Consequently, musical practice, whether compositional or performative, entails a moral responsibility, particularly challenging the perspectives of Levinas; Bauman; and Wilde, who traditionally separated art from ethics. As outlined in Nielsen and Cobussen’s work “music contributes to a better understanding of one’s place within the world, and thus, to an ethical sensibility”, emphasizing how musical practice cultivates ethical awareness through its relational nature. Music is thus conceived as a moral endeavor, where care extends not only to the music itself but also to the individuals involved in its creation and performance. Moreover, this moral responsibility extends to future generations, as musical tradition is conceived as a temporal bridge linking the past, the present, and the future. The tradition is composed of individuals actively engaged in the practices that shape the tradition or traditions. Musicians bear an intergenerational responsibility toward those who will inherit and reinterpret current practices—a responsibility not grounded in direct reciprocity, but in what Randall describes as “conceptual ties”. The continuity of musical tradition and its aesthetic value depend on the care and responsibility each generation shows toward both the participants and the evolving cultural products of this process. Thus, the discussion elucidates the ethical dimensions of musical agency and practice, particularly in Western classical music, and highlights how our obligations to future generations are intrinsic to the practice itself, thereby contributing to broader debates on intergenerational care ethics.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/9/6/183musical collaborationmusic ethics of caremoral responsibilityemotional interconnectivityfuture generationstradition |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Palazzolo Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency Philosophies musical collaboration music ethics of care moral responsibility emotional interconnectivity future generations tradition |
| title | Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency |
| title_full | Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency |
| title_fullStr | Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency |
| title_short | Philosophy of Musical Relationships: Care Ethics and Moral Responsibility of Musical Agency |
| title_sort | philosophy of musical relationships care ethics and moral responsibility of musical agency |
| topic | musical collaboration music ethics of care moral responsibility emotional interconnectivity future generations tradition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/9/6/183 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chiarapalazzolo philosophyofmusicalrelationshipscareethicsandmoralresponsibilityofmusicalagency |