Originally, the term “music” had a broader meaning than it does today and referred
to “any human art over which the nine Muses presided” (Lehner: New Catholic Encyclopedia).
Over time it acquired a more narrow meaning, signifying the artful arrangement of
sounds into melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic patterns and structures and even compositional
wholes. This year's cohort of philosophy seniors learned to dwell with music philosophically
by acquainting themselves with some of the basic categories, vocabularies, and subject
matters associated with the study of the philosophy of music. For example, they studied
the Greek view of music as imitation (mimesis), which was first set forth by Plato
and then taken up by Aristotle, the Neoplatonists, and Augustine. They also studied
music as idea, which is reflective of the modern period and is associated with the
views of Kant, Schiller, and Hegel. In addition, they examined contemporary philosophical
reflections on music as experienced or the phenomenology of music (Gadamer) and music
as a social and political force (Adorno). Complete schedule here.
We invite you to join us on Saturday, March, 25, in SB Hall’s Serafy Room (9:30 am-4
pm) for a day devoted to extended dialogue on the philosophy of music. Please come
to celebrate and support our seniors as they present the fruit of their labors at
the Sixth Annual Philosophy Senior Conference! You won't be disappointed.
Philosophy Colloquium
A weekly forum for discussing provocative topics. Meets most Fridays during the semester.
The Philosophy Colloquium (PHI 2141) is a one-credit, pass-fail course featuring twelve
UD thinkers and zero tests.
When it came time for Ana Henriquez, BA '20 and Class of 2020 valedictorian, to pick a college, she knew she wanted a small, Catholic, liberal arts university that offered both biology and Latin. That sounds like UD in a nutshell, and she thought so too. In the spring of her senior year of high school at The Atonement Academy in San Antonio, as she approached UD's campus for her last visit, she knew she would spend the next four years there and shouted to her mom, "Look, that's my tower! That's my home!"
Given his strong UD legacy, Bill Bennett, BS '20, was practically destined to attend the University of Dallas. Stories about UD's Rome Program and rugby were essential aspects of Bennett's childhood given that both of his parents, as well as many extended relatives, are UD alumni. But while UD was in his blood, he ultimately chose UD because he wanted both a liberal arts education and a degree in physics, and he knew UD was the best place to combine the two.
It is not uncommon for the University of Dallas (UD) and the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) to get confused, and Adella Klinte, BA '20, was unfortunately subject to that confusion. When she applied to UD, Klinte thought she was applying to UTD. Crazy though it may seem, Klinte thinks it was God's plan all along.
Learn how Grace put her philosophy degree to 
A weekly forum for discussing provocative topics. Meets most Fridays during the semester.
