Lo Yuelun 論樂 del Xunzi 子荀. Introduzione e traduzione annotata

Abstract

The article focuses on the concept of yue (music) in Confucian tradition, moving from the distinction between “proper” and “lascivious” music drown by Confucius in the Lunyu (Dialogues). As the term yue translates both “music” and “joy”, the article explores the shifting from the former to the latter meaning particularly on the basis of Xunzi’s theories, as the philosopher , in his Yuelun (On Music) uses the very term with both meanings. Being Xunzi deeply imbedded in the Confucian tradition, a key question is what yue really describes (if simply “music”, or rather “proper music” or “correct musical performance” ). Elisa Sabattini offers her own proposals for translation and understanding on the basic of a broad number of philosophical sources, directly or indirectly connected with the theories on music and its role in the “educational program” of a junzi (Confucian man of letters, “gentleman”).