An Essay on Man: An Introduction to a Philosophy of Human Culture (Veritas Paperbacks)

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. What the thinkers of the past have thought of the human race, what can be said of its art, language, and capacities for good and evil in the light of modern knowledge are discussed by a great philosopher who had a profound experience of the past and of his own time. One of the twentieth century's greatest philosophers presents the results of his lifetime study of man's cultural achievementsAn 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 Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 INTRODUCTION 10 PREFACE 18 PART I. WHAT IS MAN? 22 I. THE CRISIS IN MAN'S KNOWLEDGE OF HIMSELF 22 II. A CLUE TO THE NATURE OF MAN: THE SYMBOL 44 III. FROM ANIMAL REACTIONS TO HUMAN RESPONSES 48 IV. THE HUMAN WORLD OF SPACE AND TIME 63 V. FACTS AND IDEALS 77 PART II. MAN AND CULTURE 82 VI. THE DEFINITION OF MAN IN TERMS OF HUMAN CULTURE 84 VII. MYTH AND RELIGION 93 VII. LANGUAGE 130 IX. ART 158 X. HISTORY 192 XI. SCIENCE 228 XII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 243 INDEX 250 A 250 B 251 C 251 D 252 E 252 F 252 G 252 H 253 I 253 J 254 K 254 L 254 M 255 N 255 O 256 P 256 Q 257 R 257 S 257 T 258 U 258 V 258 W 258 X 258 Y 258 Z 258 Published On The Louis Stern Memorial Fund. Bibliographical Footnotes. Pt. 1. What Is Man?: The Crisis In Man's Knowledge Of Himself -- A Clue To The Nature Of Man: The Symbol -- From Animal Reactions To Human Responses -- The Human World Of Space And Time -- Facts And Ideals -- Pt. 2. Man And Culture: The Definition Of Man In Terms Of Human Culture -- Myth And Religion -- Language -- Art -- History -- Science -- Summary And Conclusion. By Ernst Cassirer. Published On The Louis Stern Memorial Fund. Bibliographical Footnotes. THAT self-knowledge is the highest aim of philosophical inquiry appears to be generally acknowledged.