The Pursuit of Excellence and the Role of Philosophy

Abstract

David Robertson, the American conductor, addressing his audience while conducting the 2009 Last Night of the Proms, reflected on the makeup of his orchestra: "When looking at strife in the world, and for examples of overcoming it, just think of the orchestra. All the instruments you see originated in different parts of the world. They have different histories and modifications. They look different and produce different sounds. But here they are playing together in harmony."