Topic for essay meaning. What is "Life of the Mind?"

I'm writing an essay on this topic, I understand everything else except for the life of the mind part---

Topic: Explain the differences between listening to music as an art form and listening to music solely to be entertained. How do the differences in motivation affect the listener's perspective of the musician or singer? How do they affect the "life of the mind?"

Did your teacher use the term in context? Is it a philosophy, music, or psychology course? The way I understand it, "life of the mind" means the enrichment of the mind as it pertains to cognitive functioning.

Noto's definition is extremely good. I suspect you will find the last question easier to answer, though, once you have finished answering he the first two parts of the prompt. They really seem to build on one another.

The phrase "the life of the mind" means much more than enriched cognitive functioning. Colloquially, at least in the United States, the phrase refers to taking pleasure in cultural and intellectual stimulation.