Epicurus and Music as a Propaedeutic to Happiness

Abstract

According to Epicurus' conception, the end of human life is happiness. And to achieve this goal, not only the cultivation of philosophy would be important, but also the knowledge of music. To do this, it is necessary to feel the undulations of sounds, since they cause pleasant sensations, becoming chains of movement that go from a sound emitter to a sensitive subject that receives it. Acoustics, tuning, and sound effects are sensations that gravitate to the body and soul. They are sources of satisfaction that contribute to happiness. This article has three parts. The first explains music as a sensitive quality of the body and soul. The second, maintains that music contributes to the tranquility of the soul and body. The third, considers music as a catastematic pleasure and promoter of our basic feelings.