Transformative Ambiguity: Günther Anders’ anthropological inquiry and “musical situation”

Abstract

The following article encapsulates Günther Anders’ philosophical inquiries, focusing on his early works and culminating in Philosophische Untersuchungen über musikalische Situationen. Anders delves into humanity’s existential dilemmas and the role of music in addressing them. Anders’ anthropological theory, elucidated in works like Pathologie de la Liberté and Une Interpretation de l'a Posteriori, challenges notions of fixed human identity and explores the dynamic relationship between individuals and their world. Through contrasting ideal types like the nihilist and the historical man, Anders navigates the complexities of human contingency and freedom. Philosophische Untersuchungen über musikalische Situationen ventures into a metaphysical exploration of music, portraying it as a realm beyond conventional analysis, where individuals experience a profound sense of being- in-the-world. Anders' philosophical journey culminates in a dialectic of objectification, challenging traditional dichotomies and advocating for a holistic understanding of human experience through the lens of music. This article is divided into three sections: the first one investigates the anthropological background which enables Anders to later theorise his philosophy of music. The second section dwells with Anders’ less known text Philosophische Untersuchungen über musikalische Situationen and his intricate analysis of the ‘musical situation’. The third section briefly synthesises what can be gained from Anders’ musicological writings in regard to humanity’s social nature.