Cassirer

German philosopher (1874–1945)

Ernst Cassirer

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Ernst Cassirer (July 28, 1874 – April 13, 1945) was a German philosopher and a representative of the Neo-Kantian school of thought. He is best known for his work on the concept of symbolic forms and his contributions to the philosophy of culture and philosophy of science.

Biography

Ernst Cassirer was born in Breslau, then part of the German Empire. He studied literature and philosophy at the University of Berlin, where he was influenced by the works of Immanuel Kant and Wilhelm Dilthey. Cassirer later became a professor at the University of Hamburg, where he developed his theories on symbolic forms. In 1933, with the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, Cassirer, who was Jewish, emigrated to Sweden and later to the United States. He continued his academic career at various institutions, including Yale University and Columbia University.

Philosophy

Cassirer's philosophy is characterized by his theory of symbolic forms, which he elaborated in his three-volume work, The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms. According to Cassirer, human beings understand and interpret the world through various symbolic systems, such as language, myth, art, and science. These symbolic forms shape our perception and cognition, making them central to the human experience.

Symbolic Forms

The concept of symbolic forms is central to Cassirer's philosophy. He argued that human knowledge and culture are mediated through symbols, which are not mere representations but active agents in shaping reality. Cassirer identified several key symbolic forms, including:

• Language
• Myth
• Art
• Religion
• Science

Each of these forms represents a different way of understanding and engaging with the world.

Influence and Legacy

Cassirer's work has had a significant impact on various fields, including anthropology, sociology, and semiotics. His ideas influenced notable thinkers such as Susanne Langer, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Norbert Elias. Cassirer's emphasis on the role of symbols in human culture continues to be relevant in contemporary philosophical and cultural studies.

Selected Works

• Substance and Function (1910)
• The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms (1923-1929)
• An Essay on Man (1944)
• The Myth of the State (1946)

See Also

• Neo-Kantianism
• Immanuel Kant
• Wilhelm Dilthey
• Philosophy of culture
• Philosophy of science
• Symbolic forms

Related Pages

• Neo-Kantianism
• Immanuel Kant
• Wilhelm Dilthey
• Philosophy of culture
• Philosophy of science
• Symbolic forms