How to define, or even ask for moral judgements in aesthetics, such as music? what is considered good, bad, and so on.

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Hmmm, interesting topic. In seeking to elucidate the nature of moral judgments within the realm of aesthetics, particularly as it pertains to the art of music, we must first examine the principles that govern our understanding of good and evil, beauty and ugliness. One might contend that moral judgments are not purely subjective, for they are rooted in the very essence of human experience and the rational faculties bestowed upon us. To assert that a piece of music is good or bad evokes a profound inquiry into the reasons that lie beneath such declarations. Is it the harmony of the notes that elicits a sense of pleasure and thus conveys goodness, or is it the emotional resonance that the piece evokes within the listener's soul? Herein lies a crucial aspect: our feelings towards music are intrinsically linked to our rational capacities, as they engage both the passions of the heart and the intellect’s discernment. Consequently, we must ponder whether a universal standard exists for aesthetic value, or if it is irrevocably bound to the individual’s experiences, cultural context, and moral frameworks. In this sense, when we encounter music deemed morally reprehensible or exemplary, we are not simply reacting to the auditory sensations but engaging in a dialogue with our moral compass and the world around us. Thus, in articulating such judgments, we must approach with humility, for to declare a musical composition as good or bad is to assert our own position within a vast and intricate tapestry of human existence, where personal preferences intertwine with societal norms, and where reason should illuminate our pathway to an understanding of aesthetic virtue. Ultimately, it is the interplay of our intellect and our sentiments that drives us toward a moral evaluation of music, propelling us toward a clearer understanding of beauty and its inherent relation to the ethical dimensions of our lives.