Ontologies of Musical Works
Stephen Davies · 2003
Abstract Some philosophers would not allow the possibility of an ontological analysis of musical works. They think ontology is the study of the most basic material stuff; is confined to subatomic particles and their properties, or perhaps to the set of elements. Other philosophers are more broad-minded. They regard ontology as dealing more widely with natural kinds and thereby as extending beyond the elements to encompass stable compounds. A yet richer ontology will be available if biological species (or other such categories) are included among the natural kinds. None of these accounts covers musical works, however. They are not natural kinds, however broadly that notion is construed.