Ernst Cassirer: A "Repetition" of Modernity (Suny Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy) [Paperback]

Steve G. Lofts (Author), Michael Krois (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000 | ISBN-10: 0791444961 | ISBN-13: 978-0791444962

Provides a reading of Cassirer's philosophy of symbolic forms in the context of contemporary continental philosophy.

This systematic introduction to Ernst Cassirer's philosophy of symbolic forms demonstrates how his approach transforms the project of modernity in accord with the limitations of the modern conception of rationality. At the same time, this book functions as an introduction to Cassirer's thought.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

S. G. Lofts is a Humboldt Fellow. He is the translator of Ernst Cassirer's The Logic of the Cultural Sciences: Five Studies and is also the author of other Cassirer titles in French.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791444961
• ISBN-13: 978-0791444962
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,942,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A strange, but intriguing reading of Cassirer, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ernst Cassirer: A "Repetition" of Modernity (Suny Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy) (Paperback)

Lofts' approach is rather strange: nevertheless, his unorthodox interpretation is very intriguing. Using the distinction between the signifier and signified, he brings out the internal and systematic structure of Cassirer's philosophy -- which is not at all clear when you read Cassirer himself. One could dispute any one of a number of points (and especially the methodological approach), but this is only because Lofts is, as he himself says, attempting to go "beyond Cassirer" and thus is taking a number of interpretative risks in his reading. At times one wonders, whether this is Cassirer or Lofts' philosophy of culture. However, Lofts skilfully use of quotes assures us that it is indeed Cassirer's. Given that it is one of the few books on Cassirer written in English, given the fact that it is compact and uses material from all of Cassirer's works (no small task as Krois points out in his Preface), and finally given that it is an intriguing reading of Cassirer: this is certainly worth a read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, August 31, 2005

By 

Mike C (Incheon, South Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ernst Cassirer: A "Repetition" of Modernity (Suny Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy) (Hardcover)

This was my first introduction to Ernst Cassirer; I knew nothing of the man before this book. If you have any interest in continental philosophy from the second half of the 20th century, a familiarity with Cassirer is a must. His fingerprints can be found on the works of folks ranging from Heidegger to Kojeve to Derrida.

Lofts' writing is accessible and clear; this book seemed to be a labour of love. "A Repetition of Modernity" provides an ample introduction to Cassirer's work, as well as re-reading him in the light of contemporary continental philosophy.

I enjoyed it enough that after finishing, I picked up two of Cassirer's own books - Myth of the State and An Essay On Man. Both were great reads, highly recommended.