Bloomsbury Sonic Thinking: A Media Philosophical Approach

Sonic Thinking attempts to extend the burgeoning field of media philosophy, which so far is defined by a strong focus on cinema, to the field of sound. The contributors urge readers to re-adjust their ideas of Sound Studies by attempting to think not only about sound [by external criteria, such as (cultural) meaning], but to think with and through sound. Series editor Bernd Herzogenrath's collection serves two interconnected purposes: in developing an alternative philosophy of music that takes music serious as a 'form of thinking'; and in bringing this approach into a fertile symbiosis with the concepts and practices of 'artistic research': art, philosophy, and science as heterogeneous, yet coequal forms of thinking and researching. Including contributions by both established figures and younger scholars working on cutting edge material, and weaving artistic responses and interventions in between the more theoretical texts, Herzogenrath's collection provides a lively introduction to a fresh debate. Review Sonic Thinking reminds us that listening is a deep dimension of intelligence, and a call to be more fully present in the world around us.John Luther Adams, Composer, USASonic Thinking makes a significant contribution to the field of sound studies and sonic philosophy. Bernd Herzogenrath brings together a collection of key theorists, artists, musicians, and sound researchers to show us how 'thinking with sound' enables us to grasp the resonance of the world without-us, that realm of cosmological entanglements between humans and nonhumans. The 'acoustic turn' explored here presents sound in terms of intensity and vibration as opposed to the metaphysics of being, representation and identity. Sound matter is not contained through hylomorphic ontology, rather this collection of sonic researchers and artists present an alternative process-orientated ontology that is based on becoming: sound entities are events that are contingent actualizations of virtual potential.jan jagodzinski, Professor of Visual Art and Media Education, University of Alberta, Canada About the Author Bernd Herzogenrath is Professor of American Studies at the University of Frankfurt, Germany.