Eduard Hanslick argues against two claims: (a) the aim of absolute music (i.e. instrumental music) is to excite emotion, and (b) absolute music represents or is about emotions. One argument against (b) is this:
- Necessarily, emotions are constituted in part by propositional attitudes (e.g. beliefs).
- Absolute music cannot express such attitudes.
- ∴ Absolute music cannot express emotions.
Is this a good argument?