Even thousands of years ago, philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and
Socrates understood the tremendous influence music has on its listeners.
Over 2300 years ago, Aristotle spoke about music and its ability to
communicate the emotional states of humans:
Music directly imitates
the passions or states of the soul...when one listens to music that imitates a
certain passion, he becomes imbued withthe same passion; and if over a long
time he habitually listens to music that rouses ignoble passions, his whole
character will be shaped to an ignoble form.i
Aristotle recognized that music communicates emotion, and that immoral music
can shape our character for the worse. Plato also observed the effect that
music had on society in his day and made this thought-provoking statement:
Any musical innovation is
full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited. When modes of
music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them.ii
Plato also spoke about the contribution music made to the moral decline of
ancient Greece:
They were men of genius,
but they had no perception of what was just and lawful in music...And by
composing licentious works, and adding to them words as licentious, they have
inspired the multitude with lawlessness and boldness, and made them fancy that
they could judge for themselves about melody and song...in music there first
arose the universal conceit of omniscience and general lawlessness; freedom
came following afterwards, and men, fancying that they knew what they did not
know, had no longer any fear, and the absence of fear begets shamelessness. For
what is this shamelessness, which is so evil a thing, but the insolent refusal
to regard the opinion of the better by reason of an over-daring sort of
liberty?iii
Socrates also extensively studied effects of music, recognizing its
potential as an instrument of indoctrination and character development:
Musical training is a more
potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way
into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting
grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him
who is ill-educated ungraceful.iv
Early Christian philosopher Boethuis said this:
Music is part of us, and
either ennobles or degrades our behavior.v
Sixth-century Chinese philosopher Shu
Ching agrees with Boethuis, saying, “for changing people’s manners and altering
their customs there is nothing better than music.”vi
It is plain to see that these philosophers understood the immense power of
music. But it is sad that most people today don't know about these observations
made so long ago. It is crucial that we teach our youth about the power of
music—especially as it is such a big part of their lives.
If these philosophers are correct, then our music is contributing to many of
today's issues in our society. If music can shape our characters and
passions—and therefore our morals and values—then these effects will also be
noticeable in our relationships, our laws and government, and in our
psychological challenges such as depression and anger.
Music, video games, and television all have a profound effect and will
continue to shape society.
It is imperative that we wake up to some of the influences that are
affecting our society for the worse, and take control of our own personal
choices. The effect of music and media on the public is not a secret to music
makers and those in the entertainment industry. They have spoken about it
themselves. It is our own ignorance that permits us to be controlled
by the media.
If we expect our society to improve, we must start putting controls on
ourselves and on our youth and even on the entertainment industry, if possible,
to limit its effect. Otherwise, problems of aggression, depression, suicide,
and addiction will continue to overtake our world.
In this context, the Bible's offer of a better life to those who obey looks better and
better. Freedom without controls is not freedom at all. It is anarchy and
chaos, and leads to pain and death. Attention to the principles of good living, self-control, and submission
to God lead to life and happiness.
i. Donald Grout, A History of Western Music (Norton, 1988): 7-8.
ii. Eitan Gavish, "Music has always been a tuneful force for political change," Daily News (October 11, 2009).
iii. Plato Laws III 700-701, from Great Books volume 7: 675-676.
iv. Benjamin Jowett (trans.), The Republic of Plato (Oxford Clarendon Press, 1888): 88.
v. Boethius, as quoted on hubpages.com
vi. Shu Ching, as quoted by Alexander Mileant, Rock Music From a Christian Viewpoint (2001).
