Half Sound, Half Philosophy

Aesthetics, Politics, and History of China’s Sound Art

Abstract

Jing Wang’s book Half Sound, Half Philosophy discusses how musical and artistic trends have shifted from connecting with nature and cultivating moral values to prioritizing advertisements, technology and individualism. In the past, people actively engaged with music as participants, but today they are mostly passive listeners or entertainers, which has diminished the philosophy of music’s transformative power. The book highlights that music should not just be seen as a simple practice but as an experimental art that connects with cosmic, moral and aesthetic values, shaping life itself. Sound art is not just an abstract concept but a way of life intertwined with both thought and practice. The author explores this idea by linking qi-philosophy with qi-sound, offering insights into the role of sound art in fostering creativity, especially in practical fields like architecture and daily life.