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Philosophy

The Aesthetics of Music and the Expression of Emotion

Quick fact

A remarkable feature of music is its ability to express emotions, yet it cannot name them. The 'paradox of sad music' is that we often enjoy listening to music that makes us feel sad, a puzzle that has occupied philosophers since Aristotle.

Why this is interesting

You've probably cried at a sad song, but the music is just sound. How can vibrations in the air make us feel such deep emotions?