February 24, 2010
Presenter: Amy Cimini
Respondent: Dean Chapman
The mind/body problem in musicology
Dean's response
I presented a philosophical-in-spirit outline ‘analysis’ of Cusick's
(1994) ‘Feminist theory, music theory, and the mind/body problem’—an
article we read ahead of Amy’s excellent session. Then I explained
briefly some philosophy that has centred on the practical/propositional
knowledge distinction, and some things about “use-theories” of
linguistic meaning. Special reference to Gilbert Ryle, and to Ludwig
Wittgenstein. I tried my best to connect my discussion with the parts of
Amy’s presentation having to do with performance (i.e. the ‘practical’)
being necessary for having certain kinds of knowledge, and for getting
the meaning(s) of a musical work.