Music, Passion, and Cognitive Function

Book excerpt: Music, Passion, and Cognitive Function examines contemporary cognitive theories of music, why they cannot explain music's power over us, and the origin and evolution of music. The book presents experimental confirmations of the theory in psychological and neuroimaging research, discussing the parallel evolution of consciousness, musical styles, and cultures since Homer and King David. In addition, it explains that 'in much wisdom is much grief' due to cognitive dissonances created by language that splits the inner world. Music enables us to survive in this sea of grief, overcomes discomforts and stresses of acquiring new knowledge, and unifies the soul, hence the power of music. - Provides a foundation of music theory - Demonstrates how emotions motivate interaction between cognition and language - Covers differentiation and synthesis in consciousness - Compares the parallel evolution of music and cultures - Examines the idea of music overcoming cognitive dissonances