An Essay on Man: An Introduction to a Philosophy of Human Culture

by Ernst Cassirer, Peter E. Gordon (Introduction)

Overview

One of the twentieth century’s greatest philosophers presents the results of his lifetime study of man’s cultural achievements

An Essay on Man is an original synthesis of contemporary knowledge, a unique interpretation of the intellectual crisis of our time, and a brilliant vindication of man’s ability to resolve human problems by the courageous use of his mind. In a new introduction Peter E. Gordon situates the book among Cassirer’s greater body of work, and looks at why his “hymn to humanity in an inhuman age” still resonates with readers today.
 
“The best-balanced and most mature expression of [Cassirer’s] thought.”—Journal of Philosophy
 
“No reader of this book can fail to be struck by the grandeur of its program or by the sensitive humanism of the author.”—Ernest Nagel, The Humanist
 
“A rare work of philosophy and a rare work of art.”—Tomorrow

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300254075
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Series:	Veritas Paperbacks
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	573,197
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ernst Cassirer (1874–1945) was the most prominent Neo-Kantian philosopher of the twentieth century. Peter E. Gordon is the Amabel B. James Professor of History and Faculty Affiliate in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures and in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

Introduction Peter E. Gordon ix

Preface xvii

Part I What is Man?

I The Crisis in Man's Knowledge of Himself 1

II A Clue to the Nature of Man: The Symbol 23

III From Animal Reactions to Human Responses 27

IV The Human World of Space and Time 42

V Facts and Ideals 56

Part II Man and Culture

VI The Definition of Man in Terms of Human Culture 63

VII Myth and Religion 72

VII Language 109

IX Art 137

X History 171

XI Science 207

XII Summary and Conclusion 222

Index 229