In his recent monograph, Chris Higgins (2011) offers a remarkably original, thoughtful, and provocative argument for "an ethics of professional practice" for teachers. His study brings together a wealth of ideas and authors not often discussed in relation to each other, and it draws out elusive themes and ideas often overlooked in most…

With its focus on reason and science, the 18th century began a history of increased specialization. As a result, professional degrees and certificates eventually came to define and control practices that had once been the domains of amateurs. By the end of the 19th century, many practices of lay enthusiasts had been pushed aside; where they were…

Aesthetic doctrine hypothesizes a for-its-own-sake, "disinterested" autonomy of music from life and assumes, then, that "good" music exists only to be contemplated, and that proper "appreciation" depends on informed "understanding." This distantiation of music from life creates a gap between aesthetes who have (unfortunately) sacralized classical…