Focus of Human Nature and the Circle: Cassirer's Symbol and Cultural Philosophy Research

Author: Li Enlai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book is divided into six chapters.
Chapter 1, in an overview format, discusses the fundamental mission of Cassirer's philosophy and his unique view of human nature, revealing the intrinsic logic of his symbolic-cultural philosophy.
Chapter 2, from the perspectives of the concept, characteristics, functions of symbolic forms, and human symbolic activity, delves into his idea that "the symbol is the focal point of human nature."
Chapter 3, starting from the viewpoints "humans are animals of symbols" and "the symbol is the focal point of human nature," explores Cassirer's idea that symbolic forms are continuously evolving. It chronologically describes the evolutionary process of the three main symbolic forms of humanity and, through the evolution of symbolic forms, reveals the trajectory of the formation and development of human nature.
Chapter 4, from a synchronic perspective, sequentially examines Cassirer's studies on various forms of human culture, such as myth, religion, language, art, history, science, and philosophy. It reveals their functions and positions in human life, thereby demonstrating Cassirer's idea that "culture is the circumference of human nature."
Chapter 5, discusses Cassirer's concept of the "logic of the humanities," drawing on Kant's linguistic paradigm, which is essentially his resolution and answer to the question of whether and how the humanities are possible. In a nutshell, it is the "interpretation of culture."
Chapter 6, summarizes the status, significance, and methodological characteristics of Cassirer's symbolic-cultural philosophy.