A Virtue Ethics Argument for Music Education

Abstract

Ethics and music are fields that may appear to have nothing in common, one is involved in the expression of emotion, while the other is ordered towards doing the good. Despite initially seeming very different these fields have been paired together for thousands of years. The ancient philosophers Aristotle and Confucius both saw music as having an important impact on building character. The lead singer of U2, Bono, ostensibly, agrees with these ancient philosophers having once professed, “Music can change the world because it can change people.” However, unlike famous rockstars, more recent philosophers deny music as having the ability to change people, challenging the thoughts of Aristotle, Confucius, and Bono. I argue for the value of music beyond the aesthetic. Using the framework of virtue ethics, I argue that music has value for a musician as learning an instrument increases practical wisdom and helps build the virtue of mildness.