Emotion in Life Music A New Science M Zachary Johnson 9781530311958 Books
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What does it mean for music to be emotional? How can these mysterious feelings be understood and validated? Some modern thinkers, unable to find an answer, have gone so far as to declare that music must be pure form, without emotion. Yet philosophers from Confucius to Plato and Aristotle, religious traditions from Hinduism and Buddhism to Christianity, all regarded music as a profound form of moral-emotional training. Can we link the ancient spiritual purposes of music to our modern secular and scientific understanding of man? This book argues we can, presenting a new theory that music produces the *psychological signature* of emotion—a motion of the mind with a distinctive set of mathematical characteristics. This theory provides a new way of making sense of musical emotion, a rational framework for understanding and validating it. It thus holds the promise of restoring the importance of music as a humanistic art form, and a vehicle for rewarding the good.
Emotion in Life Music A New Science M Zachary Johnson 9781530311958 Books
I think that there are many reasons for reading Emotion in Life and Music. The one that I think is very important is also very personal. Music is very personal. It means a lot to me and to many other people. So why, and does why matter? Is it just meaningless and subjective? (Which most people don’t actually believe or they wouldn’t get so excited about it.) What does it mean to feel so good or bad from hearing a piece of music. Should I care?Mr. Johnson does a great job in addressing these questions. He doesn’t give you the superficial, feel good answers that you hear so often. He talks about the real connection you have with your favorite and least favorite. That does mean that you might not be happy with everything he has to say, but those points will deserve your attention and consideration. Damn, that’s right, there may be some thinking involved. It is the good kind. The kind that leads to better understanding and more enjoyment of the that good stuff: music!
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Emotion in Life Music A New Science M Zachary Johnson 9781530311958 Books Reviews
"Emotion in Life & Music A New Science" is a deep book covering Music Theory, yes, but in a much broader sense, a holistic theoretical model of life and art this is enormously thought-provoking--even enlightening. The "New Science" of the book's title is a refreshing look at how emotions are categorized, sorted, and expressed through music--and, thus, life. Over the course of eight chapters--each filled with gut-punching philosophical revelations, Johnson builds up a strong argument for the value and potential of music as the most important, most meaningful, and most measurable --in terms of value--of the arts. He notes that, despite claims to the contrary, the quality of music CAN be measured--precisely because it is emotional. The first half of the book clearly lays out this argument; the second half explored its larger implications.
I found this to be a very emotional book, filled with "oohs" "whoas", "no ways" and quite a few times, "Did I really just read that"? I played a significant role in the editing process of this book, which provoked a great deal of thoughts and discussion.
"Emotion in Life an Music" calls on us to question all of our assumptions we know about both of its main subjects. Is subjectivity really a good thing? Can emotions be negative? What's wrong with an egalitarian approach to music--is there such a thing as "bad" music? In that case, what does "good" music look like?
For all of its polemical value, however, the book always has a warmth and kindness to it, emphasizing empathy as a path to understanding.
I hope this books sparks many a heated discussion and controversy. Over my course of reading and editing, I had my values tested and challenged. I hope yours will be, too!
Full disclosure I am named as an editor in the Acknowledgements.
Wonderful book! A great read! I plan to gift this book to people I care about.
Reading M. Zachary Johnson's new book "Emotion in Life & Music A New Science". Only part way through chapter two, but coming to the conclusion already that this is a philosophical and historical breakthrough regarding the tie between emotion and music.
In chapter two, he introduces his concept of the "psychological signature" of an emotion which he describes as "the conceptual common denominator between the attributes of the music man hears (which is the musical motion of the mind), and the motion of one's consciousness during normal instances of emotions." p. 33
He describes the three characteristics of a psychological signature, but I won't reveal them -- you'll have to buy the book. But I will share some of the fundamental questions he is answering. From chapter one
"Unlike normal emotion, introspection does not reveal the cause of musically aroused emotion.
"Musically aroused emotions are different from normal ones in that they are not the result of benefit or harm to one's values in the world...But if music does not do that, then how can it possibly arouse emotions, which are value-experiences? If musical perception is not a response to some particular value or disvalue, to some real benefit or harm to one's life, then how on earth does it make us feel anything at all? If musically-generated emotion is so crucially different from normal emotion, what basis do we have for regarding it as emotional at all? p. 28
Well, I guess I'll have to read the rest of the book to find out. But it is off to an enlightening start.
I did sneak a peek ahead by perusing the table of contents in order to get a feel for the whole of Johnson's ideas. I came across his concept of "the paradox of blissful suffering" which if I understand correctly addresses an idea about a particular piece of music that I had been thinking of while reading the first two chapters. Of course, it really isn't a paradox at all. It addresses the fact that sometimes "a profoundly sad piece of music can be incredibly moving and beautiful and inspiring, and therefore it actually makes you feel good." p. 110.
The piece of music that I was thinking of prior to reading of Johnson's "paradox" is Rachmaninoff's "Isle of the Dead". Not exactly an enticing title, I will agree. An ex-lover overheard me enjoying it one day and blurted that it was depressing. I never considered it depressing though it has dark moments. To me "Isle" represents the emotions when faced with challenges on the road to triumph -- the ups, the downs, the intensity, the struggle, the intellectual challenge and effort to unravel the problem and so on. And then triumph. It may be my favorite classical piece.
Says Johnson of such music "Superficial people make the mistake of dismissing all dark emotion in art on the simplistic thought 'that pain is bad and to be avoided; I want to be happy!'. A person who thinks that way will only know the most trivial and shallow delight. In fact, he has no true concept of happiness as fulfillment. He has only an associational notion of cheerfulness which refers to smiley faces, cotton candy, and jazzy hands. This nervously restrictive 'happy only' psychology, which is a defense mechanism, leads to compounding damage." p. 108
Amen brother.
I've provided only a small appetizer of what promises to be a full course meal provided by Johnson. If you are interested in music, philosophy, and the role of emotions don't deny yourself this book.
Emotion in Life & Music A New Science
What a great way to appreciate some music that I would have not otherwise heard. I wish there had been some soft of index in the book that listed all songs mentioned as that would have been helpful.
The believe he identified what can properly be achieved through music. The scope of ideas is actually broad enough that we could make some sort of game where we take quotes from the book and replace the word music with something equally true.
I think that there are many reasons for reading Emotion in Life and Music. The one that I think is very important is also very personal. Music is very personal. It means a lot to me and to many other people. So why, and does why matter? Is it just meaningless and subjective? (Which most people don’t actually believe or they wouldn’t get so excited about it.) What does it mean to feel so good or bad from hearing a piece of music. Should I care?
Mr. Johnson does a great job in addressing these questions. He doesn’t give you the superficial, feel good answers that you hear so often. He talks about the real connection you have with your favorite and least favorite. That does mean that you might not be happy with everything he has to say, but those points will deserve your attention and consideration. Damn, that’s right, there may be some thinking involved. It is the good kind. The kind that leads to better understanding and more enjoyment of the that good stuff music!
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