The civilised mind is full of wisdom and past regard.
But what is the civilised heart? A direct answer would be Bach. Why civilisation
at all, with barbarity so entertaining?
I
attended a Choral Scholarship Appeal yesterday. The high arts have always needed
patrons; benefactors have many calls on their resources. Why is the training of
these young singers important? Why are sixteen voices more beneficial than
eight? Could every cent given to music, painting, or literature better serve
with the poor?
In
seeking the welfare of the city, attention (a form of therapy) must be given to
the sense or significance of values. Barbarity in the form of greed heaps up
riches while the soul may be required before nightfall. How to understand human
fate or come to terms with divine matters?
Civilisation
refers to societies with highly developed arts, sciences, religion and
government; not fundamentalism, despotism, denial (whether unscientific or unhistorical),
illiteracy of language, arts, or music. It’s a privilege to be a civilised person,
to act with civility.
Where
knowledge meets human feeling, the heart is civilised to consider other than
self. So yes, it is important. The arts provide a civilised heart.
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