Aspects of Relationship Between Music and Politics in Proclus

Main Article Content

Christos Terezis
Georgia Markea

Abstract

The neoplatonic philosopher Proclus (412-485 AD) elaborates on the views which Plato formulates in his dialogue The Republic concerning harmony and rhythm and reports that both of them constitute characteristics of politics and music. He points out, nevertheless, that each person exploits them in a specific way. Their difference is not qualitative; rather, it lies in the apportionment of the responsibilities in the process of reaching the same goal. The mission of the politician, according to Proclus, is to define which kinds of harmony and rhythm are necessary for the correct upbringing and education of the young. He identifies the musician’s mission as specifying the general principles which the politician sets out. He particularly stresses that, if he is a real musician, he must continually investigate which kind of harmony and which kind of rhythm benefit the community. So, pursuing the relationship between politics and music, Proclus defines it as reciprocity. More specifically, the politician should be characterized by a musical disposition and the musician by political conviction. Thus, an unmusical politician does not recognize what is the content of correct education. The same happens with the musician who does not have political standards. However, if they are aware of the mission they should accomplish together, they can take care of the citizens and liberate them from violent instincts and from involuntary actions. Their main aim, then, is to see how citizens can become virtuous. In our study we will try to show how, and in what theoretical terms, the neoplatonic philosopher ventures to show that ethics constitute the criterion for the mode of expression of aesthetics and politics. So, he attempts and manages to form a united theoretical system with common principles of meaning for all the individual branches.

Keywords: ancient Greek philosophy, Greek music theory, neoplatonic views on music, Proclus, music and politics, harmony and rhythm, theoretical system of ethics, aesthetics, and politics

Article Details

How to Cite
Terezis, C., & Markea, G. (2010). Aspects of Relationship Between Music and Politics in Proclus. Music Scholarship / Problemy Muzykal’noj Nauki, 6(1), 83–94. Retrieved from https://musicscholar.ru/index.php/PMN/article/view/605
Section
International Division
Author Biographies

Christos Terezis, University of Patras

Professor,
Doctor of Philosophy (University of Ioannina),
Doctor of Theology (University of Athens),
Professor of Ancient Greek and Byzantine Philosophy,
University of Patras

Georgia Markea, Athens Institute for Research and Education

Dr., Ph.D (University of London, Institute of Education),
School Advisor for Music Education of Athens,
Member of the Athens Institute
for Research and Education