 |
Renovatio: The PodcastA multimedia, multi-faith publication about the ideas that shape the modern world from the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, Zaytuna College.. Author: Zaytuna College
A multimedia, multi-faith publication about the ideas that shape the modern world from the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States, Zaytuna College. Language: en Genres: Islam, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Music and the Decline of Civilization by Esme Partridge (Audio Essay)
Episode 54
Wednesday, 3 December, 2025
What if the chaos in our societies today began not in politics or economics, but in our music? This episode explores a fascinating theory from ancient Greece and China: that civilization's decline starts when musical traditions break down. Drawing from Plato's Laws and Chinese historical accounts, we examine how ancient thinkers believed that exposure to disorderly music could lead directly to political collapse—and why this ancient warning might be eerily relevant to our algorithm-driven, emotionally reactive modern world.Key Topics Covered:The concept of "theatrocracy"—rule by the irrational whims of the audienceHow ancient Greece and China both developed musical laws to preserve social harmonyThe connection between the Logos (Greek) and the Tao (Chinese) in musical philosophyWhy Plato warned against sensational music creating social breakdownThe fall of the Zhou dynasty and parallels to Athens' declineHow musical conventions shaped virtue and emotional regulationThe relationship between artistic discipline and genuine creative freedomWhy breaking from tradition without technical mastery leads to cultural declineT.S. Eliot's defense of tradition in creative expression
