
Jazz-Philosophy Fusion
Author(s) -
James Tartaglia
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
performance philosophy/performance philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2947-5589
pISSN - 2057-7176
DOI - 10.21476/pp.2016.2162
Subject(s) - jazz , argumentative , epistemology , consciousness , philosophy , improvisation , aesthetics , art , art history , visual arts
In this paper I describe and provide a justification for the fusion of jazz music and philosophy which I have developed; the justification is provided from the perspectives of both jazz and philosophy. I discuss two of my compositions, based on philosophical ideas presented by Schopenhauer and Derek Parfit respectively; links to sound files are provided. The justification emerging from this discussion is that philosophy produces ‘non-argumentative effects’ which provide suitable material for artistic expression and exploration. These effects – which are often emotional – are under-recognised in philosophy, but they do important philosophical work in demarcating the kinds of truths we want to discover, and in sustaining our search for them. Jazz-Philosophy Fusion can help to increase metaphilosophical self-consciousness about these effects, while also helping to counteract any undue persuasive force they may achieve. Jazz is a particularly suitable medium because it has independently developed a concern with philosophical ideas; because of strong parallels between jazz and philosophy which explain their mutual openness to fusions, and because improvisation very effectively facilitates the direct audience engagement essential to inducing these effects.