Issues and Prospects in Studying Cognitive Cultural Diversity

Abstract

Should cognitive musicologists be worried about the imminent disappearance of most of the world's musical cultures? In this discussion paper, it is suggested that the goal of understanding the musical mind necessarily presupposes an exploration of possible cross-cultural differences in mental operation. It is suggested that ethnomusicologists and cognitive musicologists need to set aside their differences in order to take advantage of a unique era in human history.