MYTHOLOGICAL ROOTS OF DOCTRINE OF MUSIC’S ETHOS

Abstract

One of the most important achievements of ancient Greek philosophy was the creation of ethical systems and theories, actually concept of Ethics itself. Ideas about using music as an ethical instrument had become unexpected in this area. Ad initium disparate ideas eventually had evolved into the doctrine called Ethos of Music, which considered all known at that times musical categories in terms of their ethical potential. In accordance with this, philosophy proposed a system of "right" music’s implementation to society and education. This article attempts to trace the origins of Ethos’ teaching and to identify possible parallels between the mythological and philosophical ideas. As convincingly show the mythological sources, consideration of music as an ethical instrument, for example, as a mean of moral purification, had begun long before the appearance of ancient Greek philosophy, namely, in the mythology of Apollo. The Apollonian traditions, as well as myths of Orpheus and Dionysus were examined in this study in terms of musical and ethical problems. Keywords: Music, Ethos, Mythology, Philosophy