'Sensus Intellectualis': Pietro De Abano's Musical Thoughts

Abstract

With the discovery of the Aristotelian works on “natural philosophy” the philosophical discourse expands its subject of study to the physical and material dimension of men’s nature. This philosophical tendency would also influence the reflections on musical topics. This paper shows how the physiological and physical view of the human being had influenced the theory of music. From a terminological and a conceptual perspective Pietro de Abano moves away from the Boethian authority. Comparing the musical theory of Pietro de Abano with the traditional “musica theorica” it becomes evident that there is no opposition between sensitiveness and intellect. Key words: Sensitiveness - Intellect - Music - Pietro D'Abano