The Composer Delusion

Two notes on a sheet of Beethoven's sheet music for his 'Pastoral Symphony' were talking.

One said, 'When I think about the majesty of this piece of music we belong to, I can't help but see the presence of some sort of MIND behind it. I mean, look how all of us notes seem to be in exactly the right place, and how the notes direct the different instruments to work in synch to create harmonies and rapturous melodies. It is as if this piece of paper we are living on was DESIGNED for music!"

The other note said, "Yes, it does appear that way. What you are referring to is something that I call 'The Composer Delusion'. It is true that this sheet does APPEAR to be designed to make particular sounds, and particularly lovely ones at that. But there is simply no evidence for such a 'composer' actually existing.

And besides, if you are to assume that a 'composer' actually exists who was able to arrange all these notes just so, in order to produce the sounds these sheets make when played, you would have to solve the problem of how that composer came to be. And think! Any 'composer' capable of creating the sounds on these sheets would have to be even MORE complex than the sheets themselves! You solve no problem whatsoever, therefore, by positing a composer."

The other note thought for a long time, finally arriving at the conclusion that his companion was not an especially deep thinker, and went on considering the wonder of the beautiful piece of music he existed in. He thought about this mysterious 'composer' and experienced a moment of deep and satisfying gratitude.