Humanism
and Music Philosophy
To
many people who read a work on philosophy of music, an author that rejects
humanism is considered to be either a bigot or at least a writer who has been
hiding under a rock. So, I will define
some basic understandings of what being humanistic is generally considered to
be. A simplistic definition of a
humanist is a person having a strong interest in or concern for human welfare,
values, and dignity. A simplistic
definition of humanistic is being concerned with the interests and welfare of
humans. However, a more realistic definition of one who is humanistic is one
who adheres to the philosophy which often rejects religion in the process of
asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment and
self-actualization. Therefore, I find
myself at loggerheads with what humanism really stands for as it is played out
in the philosophy and praxis of a musician.
Furthermore, there are music philosophers who are secular humanists and
others who are religious humanists. They
both believe that all musicing begins and ends with man. Therefore, in reality they are in reality
autonomous musicians.
I am
not a humanist, but I am concerned with the interests and welfare of humans. To not be concerned about the welfare of
others would not be Christian. However,
much of my philosophic writing openly rejects what humanism has come to mean.
Thought
for the Day
A Christian musician must be sure that he or she does not
use a belief in the rights of musicians to be an excuse for musicing that has
not been placed under the Lordship of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment