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. 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 art of leading; for women, the skill of following. For beginners, it is about learning steps; for seasoned dancers, it becomes 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. Gender independence vs. gender interdependence
13. Gender neutrality vs. gender expression
14. Feminism and its impact on tango
15. Individualism and its impact on tango
16. Individual performance vs. teamwork
17. Tango as a skill vs. tango as a fellowship
18. Elitism vs. populism
19. Romanticism vs. gymnastics
20. Prioritizing look vs. prioritizing essence
21. Imitating steps vs. developing skills
22. The unity of form and content
23. The danceability of tango music
24. Classic tango music vs. alternative music
25. Dancing steps vs. dancing music
26. Dancing to rhythm vs. dancing to melody
27. Three theories on leading
28. Self-centered leading vs. partner-centered leading
29. Active follow vs. passive follow
30. Simplicity vs. complexity
31. Elegance vs. fanciness
32. Steps vs. chreography
33. Progressive dancing vs. spot dancing
34. Reliance vs. lightness
35. Reform vs. tradition
36. Comfort vs. beauty
37. Creativity vs. standardization
38. Liberty vs. milonga codes
39. Cabeseo vs. verbal invitation
40. The freedom in tango
41. Tango and the outlook on life
42. A dance that teaches the world to love



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