1001Philosophers

Aristoxenus c. 360 BC – c. 300 BC

Aristoxenus (c. 360 BC – c. 300 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Peripatetic School and Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Aristoxenus of Tarentum was a Greek Peripatetic philosopher and music theorist of the fourth century BC, a pupil of Aristotle and a son of the Pythagorean musician Spintharus. His Elements of Harmonics, the most important Greek work on music theory and the only one to survive in any substantial form, broke with the Pythagorean numerical analysis of musical intervals to defend an empirical theory grounded in the perception of the musically trained ear. His many writings on rhythm, on the lives of philosophers, and on the moral education of the soul exerted a deep influence on later ancient music theory, biography, and ethics.

Key facts

Nationality
Greek
Era
Ancient
Movements
Peripatetic School, Ancient Greek Philosophy

Selected quotes

  • Attributed to Aristoxenus:

    “Music is to be judged by the ear, not by the abstract reasoning of numbers.”

  • Attributed to Aristoxenus:

    “Rhythm is the soul of motion; without it, even speech is mere noise.”

  • Attributed to Aristoxenus:

    “The ethical effect of music is no fancy; it is observable in the daily lives of those who hear it well.”

  • Attributed to Aristoxenus:

    “Biography is moral philosophy by other means.”

  • Attributed to Aristoxenus:

    “The Pythagoreans built a beautiful theory of music; the ear at last must check it against the world.”

Frequently asked about Aristoxenus

When did Aristoxenus live?
Aristoxenus was born in c. 360 BC and died in c. 300 BC.
Where was Aristoxenus from?
Aristoxenus was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Aristoxenus associated with?
Aristoxenus was associated with Peripatetic School and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
What was Aristoxenus known for?
Aristoxenus of Tarentum was a Greek Peripatetic philosopher and music theorist of the fourth century BC, a pupil of Aristotle and a son of the Pythagorean musician Spintharus.
How many quotes are attributed to Aristoxenus?
There are 5 attributed quotations from Aristoxenus in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.