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Work #438 · Mid

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

Ernst Cassirer
1923-29 (Vol I 1923, II 1925, III 1929) · German
Neo-Kantian philosophy of culture · Marburg Neo-Kantianism

Cassirer's three-volume neo-Kantian philosophy of symbolic forms (1923-29)

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method —
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

⧖

Time

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

The historical-cultural time of symbolic forms.

✦

Space

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

The cultural-symbolic space mediated by forms.

◉

Matter

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

The material reality mediated through symbolic forms.

◎

Observer

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

The animal symbolicum.

⚡

Energy

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

Energies of symbolic-mediating activity.

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Information

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

Three-volume framework of symbolic forms (language, myth-religion, science).

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms

Cassirer's Neo-Kantian synthesis eclipsed by the existential turn (Heidegger, Davos 1929 debate).