Music and Flourishing

This chapter draws on theory and a range of recent research literature to explain how music contributes to human flourishing. It first treats music listening and music-making as separate domains, and then brings them together to consider the world of the musician across a range of contexts. Parallels are drawn between theories of well-being and theories of emotion in music. It also includes a developmental perspective on how music is associated with well-being at different stages in life, and how culture and society work together to foster this. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the purposes and goals of engaging with music for well-being and flourishing.