Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Search

Refine search

Refine search

Access:
Content type:
Publication date:
Apply   From and To filters
Subject: Show more
Journals Show more
Publishers: Show more
Societies Show more
Series: Show more
Collections: Show more

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

1 results

  • Chapter 8 - Rethinking Representation

  • from Part II - Cassirer’s Philosophy of Consciousness
  • Edited by Simon Truwant, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
  • Book:
    Interpreting Cassirer
    Published online:
    17 April 2021
    Print publication:
    01 April 2021, pp 151-169

  • Summary

    Martina Plümacher considers the fundamental questions of how signs succeed in representing something that is not currently present, and what exactly they represent. In this chapter, Plümacher illustrates in what sense Cassirer characterizes representational thinking as a sign-based, creative mental activity that is also involved in the perceiving of objects and processes. In this way, Cassirer develops a new conception of representation that goes beyond both traditional representationalism and imitation theory of knowledge. First, the representational character of perceiving, thinking, and understanding are understood as contextual, situated, and perspectivized way of knowing. Second, the processes of representing and knowing are not passive imitations of the world but active processes of orienting our perceiving, speaking, thinking, and acting. Third, the organizing activities of representation are supported by certain orders of knowledge. These three aspects allow Plümacher to specify and to spell out the pragmatic tone in Cassirer’s philosophy of human consciousness.