Introduction

Peter Adamson looks at music and philosophy in the Islamic world. The ancients developed a science, often called harmonics, which abstractly studied mathematical proportions that are physically realized in string instruments like the lyre or the zither. Musicians who do classical music from this tradition got more help than I really needed. Following the spread of Islam, various musical traditions swirled together to form new cultural streams. We can see how we can see strong influence religion has had on our culture.