Connections between Theory and Practice of Music in Augustine

Abstract

This article explores two types of connection between theory and practice of music in Augustinian philosophical thought. On a first account, during the early writings of this African author, especially in the dialogue De Musica, there is a disconnection between musical and the practice of music, in the sense that, while the former leads human beings to the spiritual, the latter fosters us to stay in the material realm. In his later writings, for example, in Enarrationes in Psalm, Augustine describes the practice of music through his sign theory, forming the second account of connection. In such description, he points out that the semantic content of the musical signs is done at the same time, being pragmatic. In this way, the rational encounter of what music actually means is transformed into practice: in the convergence of theory and practice of music. Finally, the article was made as a result of the doctoral research in Philosophy in Complutense University of Madrid.