Philosophy

November 2022 228 x 152 mm c.500pp 978-1-108-49784-8 Hardback c. £89.99 / c. US$120.00

A HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC

James O. Young

University of Victoria, British Columbia

This book presents a comprehensive, accessible survey of Western philosophy of music from Pythagoras to the present. Its narrative traces themes and schools through history, in a sequence of five chapters that survey the ancient, medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary periods. Its wide-ranging coverage includes medieval Islamic thinkers, Continental and analytic thinkers, and neglected female thinkers such as Vernon Lee (Violet Paget). All aspects of the philosophy of music are discussed, including music and the cosmos, music’s value, music’s relation to the other arts, the problem of opera, the origins of musical genius, music’s emotional impact, the moral effects of music, the ontology of musical works, and the relevance of music’s historical context. The volume will be valuable for students and scholars in philosophy and musicology, and all who are interested in the ways in which philosophers throughout history have thought about music.

KEY FEATURES

• Presents the history of philosophy of music as a whole rather than as series of episodes • Includes coverage of medieval

Islamic thinkers, Continental and analytic thinkers and neglected female thinkers who have contributed to philosophy of music • Arranged thematically (rather than by philosopher) and presents a narrative that traces themes and schools through history CONTENTS

1. The Ancient World; 2. The Middle Ages; 3. The Early Modern Period: 1500–1800; 4. The Modern Period: 1800–1950; 5. The Contemporary Period.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Level: Academic researchers, graduate students

November 2022 228 x 152 mm c.280pp 978-1-108-47038-4 Hardback £75.00 / US$99.99

REALISM FOR REALISTIC PEOPLE

A New Pragmatist Philosophy of Science

Hasok Chang

University of Cambridge

In this innovative book, Hasok Chang constructs a philosophy of science for ‘realistic people’ interested in understanding and promoting the actual practices of inquiry in science and other knowledge-focused areas of life. Inspired by pragmatist philosophy, he reconceives the very notions of reality and truth on the basis of his concept of the ‘operational coherence’ of epistemic activities, and offers new pragmatist conceptions of truth and reality as operational ideals achievable in actual scientific practice. Rejecting the version of scientific realism that is concerned with claiming that our theories correspond to an ultimate reality, he proposes instead an ‘activist realism’: a commitment to do all that we can actually do to improve our knowledge of realities. His book will appeal to scholars and students in philosophy, science and the history of science, and all who are concerned about the place of science and empirical truth in society.

KEY FEATURES

• Offers new pragmatist conceptions of truth, knowledge and reality • Discussions are grounded in many examples from the history of science • Encourages interdisciplinary connections helping to connect philosophy not only with the history of science but also with the sciences and more practical domains of life CONTENTS

Introduction; 1. Active Knowledge; 2. Correspondence; 3. Reality; 4. Truth; 5. Realism; Closing Remarks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Level: Academic researchers, graduate students