Plato's " The Republic" : The Functionality of Music

 "The young are incapable of judging what is allegory and what is not, and the opinions they form at that age tend to be ineradicable and unchangeable. For these reasons, perhaps, we should regard it as of the highest importance that the first things they hear should be improving stories, as beautiful as can be."

Plato argues that music is not just an art form that allows for expression of self but also a tool. One that allows for the listener to think and feel the ideas of the composer, for better or worse. For this reason music is a powerful tool, one that should be regulated (In the eyes of Plato.). Although I do not personally agree that music should ever be regulated, there is no doubt that music does have the ability to create, form, and alter peoples' thoughts and minds. When I read this passage it reminded me of children's television, more specially the opening songs to popular children's programming.

One song in particular is Barney's opening theme. A song directed towards children, which seeks to promote the acceptance and love for our fellow man.

Do you think it is good to have music which only promotes positive human traits? Or is it not just a luxary but a necessity for humans to be able to express all feelings in art, including negative ones, in order to express themselves and allow the viewer/listener to experience life in full.