Online research in philosophy

Professor Rahn takes the approach to the analysis of Western art music developed recently by theorists such as Benjamin Boretz and extends it to address non-Western forms. In the process, he rejects recent ethnomusicological formulations based on mentalism, cultural determinism, and the psychology of perception as potentially fruitful bases for analysing music in general. Instead he stresses the desirability of formulating a theory to deal with all music, rather than merely Western forms, and emphasizes the need to evaluate an analysis (...) and compare it with other interpretations, and demonstrates how this may be done. The theoretical concepts which form the basis of Rahn's approach are discussed and applied: first to individual pieces of non-Western music which have enjoyed a fairly high profile in ethnomusicological literature, and second to repertoires or groups of pieces. The author also discusses the fields of anthropology and psychology, showing how his approach serves as a starting point for studies of perception and the concepts, norms, and values found in specific music cultures. In conclusion, he lists what he considers to be musical universals and takes up the more controversial issues implicit in his discussion. (shrink)

The basic position underlying the argument here stated is that rationality, the distinguishing characteristic of homo sapiens is a social product and that man could not be a rational animal if he were not already a social one.

An essay on ‘cultural dispossession’ that examines the consequences of a society that is ignorant of its tradition and some proposed remedies.

The paper examines the prospects for the development of theoretically reflexive theory in the discipline of international relations. First, the issue of theoretical reflexivity is discussed in terms of the "reflexive turn" associated with post-positivist philosophy of science in contemporary social and political theory. The question of whether a parallel to the "reflexive turn" in social and political theory can be identified in theorizing about international relations is then addressed. It is argued that in the context of international relations theory's (...) Third Debate one sees evidence of the growth of the "broader and deeper kind of political and epistemological self-consciousness" which is fundamental to the development of a theoretically reflexive disposition. As a consequence, if it remains premature to speak of an authentic "reflexive turn" in the discipline of international relations, it can nonetheless be argued that the prospects for the growth of theoretically reflexive international relations theory are real and significant, while the need for such theory is urgent. (shrink)

An essay on the nature, function and guiding principles of undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences with particular reference to the nature of rational communication.

Through the study of selected works of literature the author seeks what they show to be philosophically interesting without it being said to be so in these works.

Discussion of whether it is possible to be a Hegelian today. Author replies in the affirmative and what it means to be a Hegelian today.

A review of the mission and activities of the Italian Institute of Philosophical Studies and the School of Advanced Studies in Naples.

A candid and spirited discussion of “To him who looks at the world rationally the world looks rationally back".

This work sets out to trace the continuous development of thought from the Homeric poems to Socrates and later interpretations of this history.

Using terms from the game of cricket and Greek philosophy author sets out the ideals of human life.