What can we learn from the lyrics of an artist like Bruce Springsteen? What is the source of Led Zeppelin’s aesthetic appeal? How did eastern gurus like the Maharishi or Meher Baba influence the music of bands like the Beatles and the Who? What can Pink Floyd teach us about the nature of perception, Metallica about the meaning of life, or Radiohead about capitalism? In this lower-level course we will listen to music and read lyrics in conjunction with, and to set the stage for, discussion of essays that explore philosophically interesting aspects of rock artists, their music, and the music industry. We will also discuss the cultural significance and legacy of these extremely powerful performers and their work. (Group III)