or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
Sorry!
More Buying Choices
45 used & new from $3.65

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Myth of the State
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.
 
  

The Myth of the State (Paperback)

~ (Author) "IN THE last thirty years, in the period between the first and the second World Wars, we have not only passed through a severe crisis..." (more)
Key Phrases: modern political myths, race worship, new principalities, New York, Thomas Aquinas, Sartor Resartus (more...)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

List Price: $30.00
Price: $25.50 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $4.50 (15%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Wednesday, November 11? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
18 new from $24.07 26 used from $3.65 1 collectible from $30.00

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Hardcover -- -- $3.39
  Paperback $25.50 $24.07 $3.65

Frequently Bought Together

The Myth of the State + An Essay on Man: An Introduction to a Philosophy of Human Culture + Language and Myth
Price For All Three: $49.24

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: The Myth of the State by Ernst Cassirer

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • An Essay on Man: An Introduction to a Philosophy of Human Culture by Ernst Cassirer

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Language and Myth by Ernst Cassirer

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Language and Myth

Language and Myth

by Ernst Cassirer
5.0 out of 5 stars (6)  $7.95
The Philosophy of the Enlightenment (Princeton Classic Editions)

The Philosophy of the Enlightenment (Princeton Classic Editions)

by Ernst Cassirer
4.7 out of 5 stars (3)  $17.96
Symbol, Myth, and Culture: Essays and Lectures of Ernst Cassirer, 1935-1945

Symbol, Myth, and Culture: Essays and Lectures of Ernst Cassirer, 1935-1945

by Ernst Cassirer
$32.00
The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms: Volume 2: Mythical Thought (Philosophy of Symbolic Forms, Mythical Thought)

The Philosophy of Symbolic Forms: Volume 2: Mythical Thought (Philosophy of Symbolic Forms, Mythical Thought)

by Ernst Cassirer
$30.40
The Problem of Knowledge: Philosophy, Science, and History Since Hegel

The Problem of Knowledge: Philosophy, Science, and History Since Hegel

by Ernst Cassirer
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  $24.00
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This scholarly work by a truly great spirit should be read by every trained mind in search of deeper understanding of the world. One of the rare `grand' books.”–Library Journal --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Product Description

A great contemporary German philosopher attacks the explosive problem of political myth in our day. In this final work Ernst Cassirer shows how the irrational forces symbolized by myth and manipulation by the state constantly threaten to destroy the independent mind of civilized man. "A brilliant survey of some of the major texts in the history of political theory." - Kenneth Burke, Nation

Product Details

  • Paperback: 303 pages
  • Publisher: Yale University Press; 1st edition (September 4, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0300000367
  • ISBN-13: 978-0300000368
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #724,222 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Ernst Cassirer
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Ernst Cassirer Page

Inside This Book (learn more)




What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?


Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

1 Review
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Do States Have a Mythos?, July 29, 2006
This insightful book marks the end of Ernst Cassirer's career and suggests that his impact upon the social sciences will continue to grow. Perhaps this book's central feature is it's application of Cassirer's philosophy of symbolic forms to 20th century political thought. Beginning with a lean and incisive analysis of myth and culminating with an inspection of modern authoritarianism, Cassirer succeeds in marrying an understanding of culture with an analysis of political phenomena. Readers familiar with the Western tradition of political philosophy will find their background knowledge put to good use here, as the majority of the text centers around considering various mythic conceptions prevalent in Western political theory up to Hitler's Third Reich. Cassirer's approach, consistent with his other works, is to stress synthetic conclusions with comprehensive analysis.

The text can be divided into roughly three major section, each of which draws from Cassirer's previous work. The first major section is Cassirer's short exposition of his philosophy of symbolic forms. The reader is provided with several chapters identifying key elements of myth, including language, emotions, and social life. From this domain, Cassirer draws a general theory of culture, and a theory of myth in particular. His orientation to studying culture is largely operative, as he considers how myth functions emotively, cognitively, and socially.

In the next section, Cassirer approaches the question of the Western state's origins, particularly in relation to the Greek, medieval, and Renaissance traditions. All through reviewing major political theories (e.g. Machiavelli, Hegel, etc.), Cassirer applies his functional analysis of myth, noting how Western thought developed out of myth, but does not entirely escape its influence. The final section finds Cassirer considering the genesis of modern totalitarianism, once again by working through influential thinkers. Among these include Hegel's formulation of the State, Thomas Carlyle's hero worship, and Joseph A. C. de Gobineau's theory of racism.

The last chapter, entitled "The Technique of Modern Political Myths" will be the most fascinating for reader's familiar with Cassirer's other major works. Here we find Cassirer in high form: An advocate of Kant's Aufklarung in an uncertain world shaped by powerful, misunderstood forces of culture. Sadly, Cassirer passed away suddenly before this section could be completed. Still, the final note is resounding. Writing in an unusually strong tone about how to address the advocates and agents of political myths, Cassirer concludes: "We should see the adversary face to face in order to know how to combat him." In this task, Cassirer advocates that philosophy is our chief tool in understanding myth and that this task is necessary to advance self-understanding beyond even contemporary bounds.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   




Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.