Episode 15: Music, Emotion and Fish with Dr. David Bashwiner Part 1
Many of the explanations for why music arouses emotion start first with the assumption that music does arouse emotion. But actually, despite the question seeming like a no-brainer to most of us, many philosophers and music theorists have argued that music doesn’t arouse emotion. This is a circular debate, one that distracts from arguably, a more interesting one, how does music arouse emotion, and why does it do so?
On this episode, we look at a phenomenon bearing similarity to the musical arousal of emotion in humans: the approach response of the female Midshipman, an unassuming toadfish that lives off the coast of northern California, who upon hearing the “hum” vocalization of the male Midshipman swims eagerly towards him to breed. What does this tell us about musical desire? Dr. David Bashwiner explains his research findings.
Guests
Dr. David Bashwiner
Dr. David Baswiner is Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of New Mexico.
Dr. David Bashwiner got his BA in psychology from Cornell University, his Masters in music composition at the University of Illinois, and his Ph.D. in music theory at the University of Chicago. His doctoral dissertation, “Musical Emotion: Toward a Biologically Grounded Theory,” explored the biological foundations of emotional responses to music.
Tracklistings
Hiatus Kaiyote - Breathing Underwater
Robyn - Beach2k20
Giveon - The Beach
Dreamcast - Sail On
Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – Tidal Wave
Radiohead - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
With music from Peoples Potential Unlimited Test Pressing by Benedek
Phase
Wavrunner
99 Ranch
Breeze
Ease Out
Jmz
Cold Flame
Show Me
Lonely Whale