Mousike e paideia secondo Clemente Alessandrino

In the Stromata Clement proposes to include mousike in Christian education as a useful preparatory matter, though recognising some of its limitations. In this context, mousike is fi rst and foremost equivalent to harmonike, that is, the study of musical intervals and their combinations according to precise ‘laws’ , which are the same, of divine origin, discernible in cosmic harmony. Besides, mousike is also intended by Clement as musica practica, based on empirical procedures (Strom. I 93,4). In this concrete dimension, music takes on an ethical and psychagogical function (Strom. VI 90,1-3), in line with Greek Ethoslehre, and above all with the Platonic discussion of the harmoniai (Resp. 399a-c), and with Aristoxenus’ treatment (frr. 82 and 84 Werhli). It is on this basis that Clement seems to propose the adoption of the austere and noble Dorian harmonia, derived from the Jewish psaltery, in Christian music (Strom. VI 88,1-5).