Cosmic vibrations

Penelope Gouk*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This paper argues that the medieval conception of musica mundana and musica humana, the idea that the universe and man are musically constructed, had an afterlife in the Enlightenment. The musical paradigm essentially dropped out of use in the seventeenth century, and was replaced by versions of Cartesian mechanism. However, by focusing on the ideas of certain British natural philosophers I show how they absorbed aspects of the harmonia mundi tradition, especially the theory that the universe is filled with a vibrating ether or spirit that also serves as the connection between body and soul.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationL'emprise des sons
PublisherMaison des sciences de l'homme d'Aquitaine
Volume68
ISBN (Electronic)9782955596425
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2017

Publication series

NameTerrain
Volume68
ISSN (Print)0760-5668
ISSN (Electronic)1777-5450

Keywords

  • Body
  • Enlightenment thought
  • Medical theory
  • Microcosm/macrocosm
  • Musical theory

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