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. Embrace orientation vs. step orientation
4. Action 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. The gender roles in tango
11. Masculinity vs. femininity
12. Gender equality vs. gender neutrality
13. Gender neutralization vs. gender expression
14. Feminism and its impact on tango
15. Individualism and its impact on tango
16. Individual performance vs. teamwork
17. Individualistic aesthetic vs. collectivist aesthetic
18. Tango as a relationship vs. tango as a show
19. Populism vs. elitism
20. Romanticism vs. gymnastics
21. Intimacy vs. personal boundaries
22. Essence vs. appearance
23. Developing skills vs. collecting steps
24. Prioritizing basics vs. prioritizing advanced steps
25. Simplicity vs. complexity
26. Elegance vs. fanciness
27. Naturalness vs. affectation
28. The unity of form and content
29. The danceability of tango music
30. Classic tango music vs. alternative music
31. Dancing to rhythm vs. dancing to melody
32. Music-centered dance vs. step-centered dance
33. Three theories of leading in tango
34. Partner-centered leading vs. self-centered leading
35. Active follow vs. passive follow
36. Harmony vs. competition
37. Comfort vs. beauty
38. Surrender vs. self‑assertion
39. Creativity vs. standardization
40. Cabeseo vs. verbal invitation
41. Liberty vs. milonga codes
42. Reform vs. tradition
43. Tango and suffering
44. Tango and love
45. The freedom in tango
46. A dance that challenges modern ideologies



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