Cassirer und die Verhaltensbiologie
-
Felix Schwarz
Abstract
: Cassirer and Behavioural Biology. Regarding the question of the „anthropological difference“ between humans and (other) animals, many biologists emphasize evolutionary continuity,whereas philosophers of culture claim a fundamental discontinuity of life-forms. In my article, I argue that Cassirer, despite appearing at first sight like a typical representative of the „discontinuous“ view, is better understood as making an effort to integrate both perspectives into a consistent theory of our natural-cultural existence. Tracing this line of thought from Cassirer’s early commitment to functionalism through his late Essay on Man, I show how he repeatedly refers to empirical findings which are nowadays recognized as pioneering works in behavioural biology. I conclude with a critical reassessment of Cassirer’s conception of the anthropological difference in light of current developments in behavioural biology.
Abstract
: Cassirer and Behavioural Biology. Regarding the question of the „anthropological difference“ between humans and (other) animals, many biologists emphasize evolutionary continuity,whereas philosophers of culture claim a fundamental discontinuity of life-forms. In my article, I argue that Cassirer, despite appearing at first sight like a typical representative of the „discontinuous“ view, is better understood as making an effort to integrate both perspectives into a consistent theory of our natural-cultural existence. Tracing this line of thought from Cassirer’s early commitment to functionalism through his late Essay on Man, I show how he repeatedly refers to empirical findings which are nowadays recognized as pioneering works in behavioural biology. I conclude with a critical reassessment of Cassirer’s conception of the anthropological difference in light of current developments in behavioural biology.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt V
- Einleitung der Herausgeber 1
- An den Grenzen der Symbolisierung 7
- Was sind die Objekte der Wahrnehmung? 25
- Rekonstruktive Synthesis 47
- Basisphänomen und Leibapriori 69
- Cassirers analytische Philosophie 89
- Der leibliche Grund der Symbolfunktion 113
- Mind als Geist in der Welt der Kultur 129
- Inkarnierter Sinn 151
- „Werkzeug-Denken“ 175
- Formwerdung und Formlosigkeit der Form 195
- Transformation oder Deformation des Subjekts? 217
- Ästhetik versus Kunstgeschichte? 239
- Cassirer und die Verhaltensbiologie 261
- Michel Foucault als Leser Ernst Cassirers 283
- Siglenverzeichnis 303
- Personenregister 305
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Inhalt V
- Einleitung der Herausgeber 1
- An den Grenzen der Symbolisierung 7
- Was sind die Objekte der Wahrnehmung? 25
- Rekonstruktive Synthesis 47
- Basisphänomen und Leibapriori 69
- Cassirers analytische Philosophie 89
- Der leibliche Grund der Symbolfunktion 113
- Mind als Geist in der Welt der Kultur 129
- Inkarnierter Sinn 151
- „Werkzeug-Denken“ 175
- Formwerdung und Formlosigkeit der Form 195
- Transformation oder Deformation des Subjekts? 217
- Ästhetik versus Kunstgeschichte? 239
- Cassirer und die Verhaltensbiologie 261
- Michel Foucault als Leser Ernst Cassirers 283
- Siglenverzeichnis 303
- Personenregister 305
