TITLE:
Epistemology of Greek Harmonics
AUTHORS:
Danilo Capecchi
KEYWORDS:
Harmonics, Epistemology, History of Science, Greek Music, Mixed Mathematics
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Historical Studies,
Vol.4 No.3,
June
30,
2015
ABSTRACT: Greek harmonics is the theory of the organization of notes with respect to the highness or lowness
of their pitches. This was a mathematical science, a thorough knowledge of which was not necessary
for the professional musician and was thus cultivated essentially by mathematicians and
philosophers. For them, harmonics was mixed mathematics, the mix being between experimental
assertions derived from hearing and propositions derived from reason, that was, mathematics.
This classification was maintained through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Despite the important
role played by harmonics in ancient science, little consideration has been given by historians
of science. This study shows that harmonics merits a careful study and that its methods are
the same as other sciences. Particular attention was devoted to Ptolemy who applied the same
approach to harmonics as he did to astronomy, astrology and geography.