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 performance. For heterosexuals, it embodies gender expression; for homosexuals, it is a gender-neutral interplay. 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 a 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 with 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. Embrace-centered tango vs. step-centered tango
4. Movement vs. feeling
5. Close embrace vs. open embrace
6. Social tango vs. performance tango
7. Artistic sublimation vs. vulgarism
8. Cultural bias and impacts
9. The relationship of the two sexes
10. Gender interdependence vs. gender independence
11. Masculinity vs. femininity
12. The gender roles in tango
13. Gender equality vs. gender neutrality
14. Gender-neutral dance vs. gender-expressive dance
15. Feminism and its impact on tango
16. Individualism and its impact on tango
17. Individual performance vs. teamwork
18. Individualistic aesthetic vs. collectivist aesthetic
19. Tango as a relationship vs. tango as a show
20. Populism vs. elitism
21. Romanticism vs. gymnastics
22. Intimacy vs. personal boundaries
23. Essence vs. appearance
24. Developing skills vs. collecting steps
25. Basics vs. advanced steps
26. Simplicity vs. complexity
27. Elegance vs. fanciness
28. Naturalness vs. affectation
29. The unity of form and content
30. Self-centered djing vs. dancer-centered djing
31. Classic tango music vs. alternative music
32. Dancing steps vs. dancing music
33. Dancing to rhythm vs. dancing to melody
34. Three theories of leading in tango
35. Partner-centered leading vs. self-centered leading
36. Active follow vs. passive follow
37. Harmony vs. competition
38. Comfort vs. beauty
39. Surrender vs. self‑assertion
40. Creativity vs. standardization
41. Cabeseo vs. verbal invitation
42. Liberty vs. milonga codes
43. Reform vs. tradition
44. Tango and suffering
45. Tango and love
46. The freedom in tango
47. A dance that challenges modern ideologies



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