Music and the Regulation of Existential Feelings in Grief

In collaboration with the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and The Grieg Academy, the Bergen Network for Women in Philosophy has the great pleasure to invite you to our guest lecture with Professor Kathleen Higgins, University of Texas, titled: "Music and the Regulation of Existential Feelings in Grief".

Abstract:
Listening to music is a popular means of emotion regulation, which is usually aimed at influencing when and how one experiences relatively short-lived emotions and moods.  Using grief as my focus, I will suggest that listening can also help regulate more temporally extended emotional conditions, including what Matthew Ratcliffe has termed “existential feelings.” I will first indicate some of the changes to existential feelings that are typical of grief, such as world-distancing and a diminished sense of personal agency, and then explain how music can counteract these debilitating effects. I will also consider the possible objections that the virtual character of what is presented in music severely restricts its impact on feelings related to being in the actual world; that music facilitates maladaptive regulation strategies of particular concern in connection with grief; and that using music for regulation amounts to ignoring what is musical in music.  I conclude that music can help to counteract disturbing changes to existential feelings and that it can bolster a sense of agency without producing the unpalatable impression of leaving the dead behind, which accompanies most future-oriented displays of agency in grief.

Coffee, tea, and soda will be served during the event.

You are also invited to attend Professor Higgins' open lecture at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences earlier on the 
same day (October 25th) at 11:00-12:30 at Library Fyrrommet, Høgskolen på Vestlandet-Kronstad [also live-streamed for other campuses].

All interested are heartily welcome at both events!