Is music an Archaic Form of Thinking?

Journal/Book: Nordisk tidsskrift for musikkterapi. 1994; 3: 3-12.

Abstract: The central idea of this article is based on the assumption that there is a close parallel between the form of music and the arcaic forms of thinking. The article discusses the Piagetian assimilation and accomodation process and their resamblance to the growing and relaxing inner tentions caused by music. At the most general level, music is parallel to bodiliy non-verbal forms of meanings. This level is common to all known music cultures and to the body schemas and "bodily forms of thinking" of a little baby. The article also discusses forms of archaic thinking of hierarcy. Theories concerning the diffferent developmental phases of thinking are also presented and discussed. The cognitive and psychoanalytical theories of Daniel stern and Eva Basch-Kahre shed new light on the problem of music. According to Stern the forms of early thining have a clear resamblance to the form of music. Basch-Kahre divides the form of thinking according to the different developmental stages of the individual. She reports, for example, chaotic, emotional-sensoric and operational thinking processes. It seems obvious that music as communication can represent and express all above mentioned developmental stages. Therefore by using music and musical symbols in the therapeutic situation, for example, it is possible to reach all these developmental stages.

Note: Ph.D.Ass.Prof. University of Turku, Department of Education, is the coordinator of the music therapy deucation at the Univresity of Jyväskylä in Finland. Lehthonen has written a great number of articles in music therapy, and he is the editor of the Finnish Journal of Music Therapy. Language: English address: Laaleistientie 36, SF-21270 Nouisiaineene, Finland

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