 As is apparent from his hypothesis concerning the origins of music, Rousseau thinks that the expression of emotions is music’s main function. A qualified notion of imitation plays a crucial role in this. While Rousseau accepts the eighteenth century view of art as imitation (Rousseau 1768, “Imitation”), he is also clear in stating that musical imitation is different from the kinds we find in other art forms. Music does not imitate the human passions or other objects by presenting us with their sonic equivalent, but rather by arousing in the listener the emotions that the object would give rise to. In Rousseau’s words,