Plato, Music And A Whirlpool Of Frenzy.

Continuing on from last week I thought it would be an interesting perspective to consider another Greek philosopher and how he viewed music and the impact on wellbeing/mental health.

For Plato, music was not merely a form of entertainment but a powerful tool capable of shaping individual character and, by extension, the moral fabric of society. His thoughts reflect both admiration for music’s constructive potential and caution about its potentially corrupting influence. We all know music helps but it can also hinder!

In The Republic (Book III), Plato proposes that music plays a foundational role in the education of the guardians, the ruling class and ‘top dogs’ in his ideal state. He argues that music, alongside gymnastics (interestingly), should be used to cultivate harmony between the body and the soul. Musical training, when properly regulated, helps to develop virtues such as courage, discipline, and temperance.

According to Plato, and similar to Aristotle, certain musical modes are more conducive to fostering moral character than others. The Dorian and Phrygian modes, for instance, promote strength, balance, and self-control, while other modes like the Lydian and Ionian were considered overly soft or emotionally indulgent, leading to moral decay. I quite like the idea of certain modes or pieces of music leading to moral decay, quite alluring….

Plato believed that music influences the soul before our reason and logic are fully developed, especially in kids. Because of this, it has a profound formative effect. The young, being impressionable, are particularly vulnerable to the kind of character shaped by the music they are exposed to. Therefore, music in education must be strictly controlled to ensure it supports the development of rational, virtuous citizens.

Despite recognising music's educational power, Plato was also wary of its ability to destabilise society. In The Republic, he famously warns that changes in musical style could lead to changes in political and moral order. "When modes of music change," he wrote, "the fundamental laws of the state always change with them" (Republic, Book IV). This reflects his belief that music is deeply intertwined with ethos, the character or disposition of a person or society.

This reminded me of a time when my band were prevented from performing at a festival as we were accused of purposely whipping the crowd up into a frenzy through a ‘whirlpool effect’ (you can read The Guardian article here). Maybe Plato was right. In general, Plato feared that musical innovation, particularly styles that emphasised emotional excess, sensual pleasure, or technical showmanship, could erode discipline and reason. Well, it seems he may have been on to something.

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Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.