151: Why Write for Weird Instruments? – A Conversation with Donald R. Womack

And so how has philosophy influenced your composition and your approach to music?

Yeah, I don't know that I can give a, a really clear and compelling answer to that.

It's more like how it has, it influenced my entire life, just my way of living, right? One of the things that was really important and continues to be really important for me, an influence of philosophy was Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher.

He was interested in ethics.

A lot of philosophers are, of course.

But in particular, he was interested in the idea of it being important to struggle with doubt in order to live an ethical life.

You know, the importance of self-examination-

Mm-hmm

... of constantly questioning ourselves, reevaluating our positions, and so forth.

I find that very powerful.

Mm-hmm.

My experience has, has been that the moment that I become completely certain of myself is the moment when I get complacent, and the world tends to give me a nasty surprise at those moments, right? [chuckles]

Mm-hmm.

So this idea of continually questioning yourself, you know, self-doubt.

Not doubt in a negative sense, but doubt of just, "Can I really be certain of this?" Or, you know, "Are there other perspectives that are valid as well?"

Mm-hmm.

I agree.

Not like, "Oh, like I'm worthless," or, you know, "I'm nothing"-

Yeah

... or whatever, but, like, questioning your way of life-

Exactly

... trying to change.

A lot of people think, oh, because you don't trust yourself.

It's actually the opposite.

Like if you-