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Music , Passion, and Cognitive Function examines contemporary cognitive theories of music, why they cannot explain music´s power over us, as well as the origin and evolution of music. A new cognitive theory is described, a theory of musical origin based on the fundamental role of music in cognition: music unifies the inner world split by language, and enables the accumulation of knowledge and cultural evolution. The book considers the split in the vocalizations of proto-humans into two types-one less emotional and more concretely-semantic, evolving into language, and the other preserving ancient emotional connections along with semantic ambiguity, evolving into music. This theory is unique in making experimentally verifiable predictions.

The book presents experimental confirmations of the theory in psychological and neuroimaging research. It discusses the parallel evolution of consciousness, musical styles, and cultures since Homer and King David. It explains that "in much wisdom is much grief" due to cognitive dissonances created by language that splits the inner world. Music enables us to survive in this "sea of grief," overcomes discomforts and stresses of acquiring new knowledge, and unifies the soul. This is the reason for the power of music.

Provides a foundation of music theory
Demonstrates how emotions motivate interaction between cognition and language
Covers differentiation and synthesis in consciousness
Compares the parallel evolution of music and cultures
Examines the idea of music overcoming cognitive dissonances

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1. Theories of Music 2. Mechanisms of the Mind: From Instincts to Beauty 3. Language and Wholeness of Psyche 4. Music 5. Experimental Tests of the Theory: Music 6. Experimental Tests of the Theory: Beauty and Meaning 7. Music and Culture: Parallel Evolution 8. Musical Emotions and Personality 9. Other Aesthetic Emotions 10. Future Research and Summary

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"In laying out a theory with such explanatory power, one should be expected to meticulously detail the previous literature, discussing in depth why previous theories should be discounted. Surprisingly, Perlovsky dismisses many of the theories rather offhandedly." --PsycCritiques Vol 62 No. 43

"This excellent book offers unique cognitive explanations confirmed in experiments.Professor Perlovsky demonstrates that music helps overcome cognitive dissonances, unify the inner world, survive in a sea of grief, and continue cultural evolution." --Professor Michel Cabanac de Lafregeyre, Laval University, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

"The only theory explaining power of music, its cognitive mechanisms, and making predictions confirmed by experiments is described in this book. Cognitive musicology becomes a "hard" science." --Professor Nobuo Masataka, Kyoto University

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