Thora Ilin Bayer
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300083316
- eISBN:
- 9780300127171
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300083316.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This chapter discusses the central distinction of Cassirer's metaphysics—life (Leben) and spirit (Geist). Cassirer understands all metaphysical systems of the twentieth century as tending in one or ...
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This chapter discusses the central distinction of Cassirer's metaphysics—life (Leben) and spirit (Geist). Cassirer understands all metaphysical systems of the twentieth century as tending in one or the other of these two directions. A full understanding of what life and spirit mean for Cassirer requires not only the definition of the two concepts but also an understanding of their connections with the key ideas of his philosophy of culture, especially his conceptions of dialectic and symbolic form. Cassirer intends his metaphysics of symbolic forms to pass between the horns of the dilemma of life and spirit. To accomplish this, he wishes to show that each of these attains its reality through the transformation of the other.Less
This chapter discusses the central distinction of Cassirer's metaphysics—life (Leben) and spirit (Geist). Cassirer understands all metaphysical systems of the twentieth century as tending in one or the other of these two directions. A full understanding of what life and spirit mean for Cassirer requires not only the definition of the two concepts but also an understanding of their connections with the key ideas of his philosophy of culture, especially his conceptions of dialectic and symbolic form. Cassirer intends his metaphysics of symbolic forms to pass between the horns of the dilemma of life and spirit. To accomplish this, he wishes to show that each of these attains its reality through the transformation of the other.
Thora Ilin Bayer
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300083316
- eISBN:
- 9780300127171
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300083316.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This chapter focuses on Cassirer's conception of basis phenomena, the understanding of which requires not only a description of the three basis phenomena—I, act, and the work—but also an explanation ...
More
This chapter focuses on Cassirer's conception of basis phenomena, the understanding of which requires not only a description of the three basis phenomena—I, act, and the work—but also an explanation of how these phenomena are connected with Cassirer's metaphysics of life, spirit, and symbolic form. Cassirer does not directly spell out such connections, but it is possible to draw out from the text the issues they involve. Cassirer begins his discussion of the basis phenomena with Goethe, who formulated the notion of three primary or original phenomena in three maxims. In explicating his own view of the first basis phenomenon, Cassirer takes up Goethe's notions of life and movement and expands upon them in his notions of temporality, I, Self, and feeling.Less
This chapter focuses on Cassirer's conception of basis phenomena, the understanding of which requires not only a description of the three basis phenomena—I, act, and the work—but also an explanation of how these phenomena are connected with Cassirer's metaphysics of life, spirit, and symbolic form. Cassirer does not directly spell out such connections, but it is possible to draw out from the text the issues they involve. Cassirer begins his discussion of the basis phenomena with Goethe, who formulated the notion of three primary or original phenomena in three maxims. In explicating his own view of the first basis phenomenon, Cassirer takes up Goethe's notions of life and movement and expands upon them in his notions of temporality, I, Self, and feeling.
