Philosophy Blog
A ratio is a relation between two numbers. It is not a physical object but an abstract one.
Our senses of hearing and sight are able to apprehend the ratio between two sense impressions. When we hear an octave sung or sounded, we experience a distinct pleasure. Our ears are a measuring instrument but do not flash numbers on a screen for us.
Instruments which do so, tell us that in an octave the number of vibrations per second of the lower sound is half that of the higher. A simple ratio of vibrations such as 1 : 2 is pleasant to the ear whereas complicated ratios sound discordant. To a certain level of accuracy, the eye is also able to detect ratios and see that that one length is, say, twice the length of another.
Our other senses can tell us of ‘more or less’ of the qualities they detect.
Dr Charmaine Zammit, Malta
Charmaine is an artist who lost interest in producing art objects for exhibitions and buyers. Instead she wanted to help others appreciate and create art. After years of academic studies, and while serving as a Head of Department for Art in state schools, she started a doctoral research. Working with people using art was enlightening and in turn, she also experienced transformation through art. Charmaine is a philosophy student in Malta.
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