Immanuel Kant ~ An Aside

In one of Umberto Eco’s works I read the quote below. It is a text of the well-known philosopher Immanuel Kant of Prussian Köningsberg (since 1945 Kaliningrad), contemporary among others of Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the sons of J.S. Bach, Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

In this piece of text, Kant points out that music also has a less attractive side, something uncivilized even. Music can appeal to outsiders. Therefore, in a sense, they are restricted in their freedom. If you do not want to see something, close your eyes or stop yourself. Unfortunately, for music (sound) this does not work.
In very neat words, Kant compares music in this regard with discomfort from stench. He gives the example of someone pulling a perfumed handkerchief, in keeping with the lastest fashion, from his pocket. Now, a good listener knows enough.

Immanuel Kant. Kritik der Urteilskraft. Erster Teil, Erster Abschnitt, Zweites Buch, § 53. Vergleichung des ästhetischen Werts der schönen Künste.

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