From jazz to pop, songs can carry ethical meanings. How is that fact best understood? Prof. Alessandro Giovanelli‘s recent paper discusses the “personal-qualities view, for which songs have ethical qualities in ways that are similar to how people have their personal qualities. To it, the paper contrasts the “ethical perspective view,” which better cashes out the central way in which songs are ethically evaluated. The discussion of musical examples (including songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Bob Marley, EMINƎM, Lady Gaga, and more) becomes an opportunity to address some of the norms that guide art interpretation, as well as the place that songs have in our lives. 4:15 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 7 • Pardee Hall, Room 321 • MORE
Submitted by: Philosophy Department