Description
Book SynopsisShared Musical Lives makes the case for the epistemological and ethical significance of musical experience, discussing the concept of sonification in the context of disability in order to challenge and broaden existing conceptions of disability and music and provide new ways of thinking about the philosophies of music and disability.
Trade ReviewThis beautiful, profound book explores what happens when we make music together—as composers, improvisers, performers, or listeners. We learn something about ourselves and others and, when the musical worlds we create together include people with disabilities, the knowledge we gain may be ethically important. This is a moving meditation on the power of musical experience to deepen our sense of ourselves and our common humanity. * Joseph Straus, Distinguished Professor of Music, CUNY Graduate Center *
This rich and sensitive philosophical discussion of 'musicking' brings to the fore the experience of cognitive disability. Carlson brings her important philosophical work on cognitive disability together with her own experience as a musician to create a broad ranging discussion of the importance of the 'musical we' in recognizing the humanity in the other. At the same time, she cautions us against overgeneralizations and seemingly universalizing claims that are likely to reinstate exclusions and prejudices. This is a wonderful read, full of thoughtful reflection and illuminating examples of 'the sonification' of the subject that shows us how musicking is a means to enlarge our experience of being human. * Eva Feder Kittay, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Emerita, Stony Brook University/SUNY *
Shared Musical Lives brings us a source of joy, comfort, and rejuvenation at a time when all of us need a clearer understanding of what it means to be human. Licia Carlson gives us a remarkably humane philosophical meditation on the cultural vibrancy of disability arts and its potential to infuse dignity and meaning into lives often misunderstood and underappreciated. Carlson's book calls us to witness and appreciate the political, ethical, and healing force of music for everyone. * Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Professor of English and Bioethics, Emerita, Emory University *
Table of ContentsPandemic Preface Sonification: An Overture Chapter 1: A Brief Taxonomy of Musical Others Chapter 2: Musical Selves Chapter 3: The Epistemic Force of Musical Encounters Chapter 4: Wordlessness is not Worldlessness: A Lyrical Interlude Chapter 5: The Musical We Conclusion: Musical Worlds Index
