ABSTRACT

This chapter investigates the roots of Western views on music, soul and well-being, by analyzing how ancient Greek authors conceived music’s psycho-physical impact. After an introductory section drawing attention to some key concepts, such as mousikē, psyche, and pathos, the chapter explores the ancient view of the moral power of music, which was mainly conceived as a long-term effect, while the second part, devoted to the use of music as therapy, focuses on the notion of the short-term effect on both body and soul. A concluding section introduces the minority view of ancient theorists who rejected the idea that music has a significant impact. By analyzing sources covering a wide time span, the study aims to show that the interest in music and its effects on human well-being was strong and enduring in Antiquity, and that it paved the way for later debates on this topic.