Tango is not just a fascinating dance—it is a rich philosophy, culture, and way of life. The search of tango is the search of connection, love, fellowship, unity, harmony, and beauty—an idealism that is not consistent with the dehumanizing reality of the modern world. The world divides us into individuals, but tango brings us together as a team and community. In tango we are not individualists, feminists, nationalists, Democrats, or Republicans—we are simply human, intertwined and interdependent. Tango invites us to tear down walls, build bridges, and rediscover our shared humanity through connection, cooperation, accommodation, and compromise. It is a dance that reminds the world how to love.

April 30, 2011

Tango as a Philosophy


Tango means different things to different people. For men, it is the skill of leading; for women, the art of following. For beginners, it is about learning steps; for seasoned dancers, it is an expression of music and emotion. To lovers, tango is a relationship; to attention seekers, a show. For heterosexuals, it embodies gender expression; for homosexuals, it offers a space for gender-neutral play. Social dancers view tango as a personal escape, while professionals treat it as a craft to captivate an audience. Casual enthusiasts see it as recreation; devoted milongueros live it as a lifestyle. To foreigners, tango may be a curiosity or cultural fascination, but for Argentinians, it is a deeply ingrained emblem of national identity and heritage. Ultimately, each of us dances tango through our own lens, shaped by who we are and how we connect to it.

Tango philosophy explores the questions that define us as dancers and individuals. Below is an incomplete list of such questions, each open to multiple answers. Some may be more technically correct or incorrect, while others simply reflect personal preferences—neither right nor wrong. Collectively, these diverse perspectives and choices shape how we dance, interact, and identify within the tango community. By examining and exchanging viewpoints on these matters, we can deepen our understanding, learn from one another, refine our dance, and, hopefully, achieve mastery through a holistic appreciation of all aspects of tango.

1. What is tango
2. Why people dance tango
3. Different styles of tango
4. Embrace-orientation vs. step-orientation
5. Action-orientation vs. feeling-orientation
6. Close embrace vs. open embrace
7. Social tango vs. performance tango
8. Artistic sublimation vs. vulgarism
9. Cultural bias and impacts
10. The relationship of the two sexes
11. The gender roles in tango
12. Masculinity vs. femininity
13. Gender interdependence vs. gender independence
14. Gender expression vs. gender neutrality
15. Feminism and its impact on tango
16. Individualism and its impact on tango
17. Individual performance vs. teamwork
18. Tango as a fellowship vs. tango as a show
19. Populism vs. elitism
20. Romanticism vs. gymnastics
21. Intimacy vs. spectacularism
22. Essence vs. appearance
23. Developing skills vs. imitating steps
24. The unity of form and content
25. The danceability of tango music
26. Classic tango music vs. alternative music
27. Dancing the music vs. dancing the steps
28. Dancing to rhythm vs. dancing to melody
29. Three theories on leading
30. Partner-centered leading vs. self-centered leading
31. Active follow vs. passive follow
32. Foundation vs. advanced steps
33. Simplicity vs. complexity
34. Elegance vs. fanciness
35. Naturalness vs. affectation
36. Harmony vs. competition
37. Comfort vs. beauty
38. Steps vs. chreography
39. Progressive dancing vs. spot dancing
40. Surrender vs. self‑assertion
41. Reliance vs. lightness
42. Creativity vs. standardization
43. Cabeseo vs. verbal invitation
44. Liberty vs. milonga codes
45. Reform vs. tradition
46. The freedom in tango
47. Tango and the outlook on life
48. Tango and suffering
49. A dance that challenges modern ideologies
50. A dance that teaches the world to love



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