Stirling Newberry argues that a general definition of harmony is a
legitimate cultural requirement, even though it is certain to be very
compendious because a ...

>... general definition must, by its
>nature, contain all of the possibilities within it.  It must point to
>where specific choices are made and their effects...but it will not, in
>its raw form, be biased towards any particular set of decisions made...

That seems fair enough, as have Stirling's various ponderings about the
problem of harmony.  To grapple further with the problem there'll probably
be a need for the help on the one hand of the Jerry Fodors of this world,
and on the other of the (post-) Theodor Adornos.  No doubt there will also
be a need to set in train a dialectic between these two poles of research
(plus others, no doubt), with the one side approaching the project in
the scientific manner, head-on, while the other side approaches it
aesthetically, crabwise.That being the nature of the project, it then
seems to me to properly fall in the province of learned articles and
books--though now and then highlights of the progress (if any) should be
passed along to this list.  Stirling seems resigned that full coverage
aimed at non-specialists is out of the question...

>...  I know that they would instantly attack the outlining of such a
>system as being "too long", "too complicated", "too unfamiliar" - too this,
>too that - in short, requiring an explanation, and then cutting it off...

... and in writing this, he still makes excellent sense. But
then--surprise, surprise--he appears to enter into dialectic with himself,
negating the thrust of what had gone before,viz...

>...One can't have it both ways - either a forum must remain inside
>particular bounds of knowledge, and people must accept that at a certain
>point discussions must be dropped because the verge on reopening old
>wounds- or they must accept where ever the discussion leads, and whatever
>means and materials are necessary...  Since this is a moderated forum -
>it is a decision I must leave in the hands of its moderator.

Seems to me that Dave's intercession shouldn't necessary.  There's been
plenty of opportunity for the airing of various views on the present
status of the problem's handling.  Stirling himself contributed postings
interesting enough to warrant the considerabale space that Dave allotted
them.  Moderation should primarily be exercised by the members of this
list.  They ought to sense for themselves when enough's enough--and when it
isn't.  Calling for the assistance of the moderator in the instance at hand
is a bad idea.  (He'll make a move when he feels there's a need for it.)

 [I have on exceedingly rare occasions requested moritoriums on specific
 topics.  I have not ever, nor will I ever, cut off a legitimate discussion
 on classical music, regardless of who complains (including myself).  I
 defer to the discretion of the list members in this regard.  -Dave]

Denis Fodor                             Internet:[log in to unmask]