학문성의 새로운 정초시도로서의 카시러의 상징철학 :카시러의 언어이해 및 상징 개념을 중심으로

Abstract

The debates on philosophy as a scientific character have always been an important issue, which has largely been developed around the conflict between subjectivism and objectivism In the early 20th century this was manifested in the dispute between Lebensphilosophie and logical Positivism. Cassirer, in this period, attempted to overcome the confrontation through his symbol philosophy. He thought that human spirit interprets life indirectly through the mediating function of ‘symbolization’ and that this can resolve the conflict. Subjectivity is objectified through symbolization, and objectivity is understood as a result of the composition of subjectivity. So objectivity is understood at a new level, and Cassirer finds its specific principle in the concept of ‘symbolic forms’ and ‘symbolic pregnancy’. A similar conflict and resolution can also be found in Cassirer’s philosophy of language. He begins by critically examining the methodology of empirical science in the 19th century. At that time, the task of linguistics was mostly concerned with the origin of language. Hence language was limitedly understood as either an subjective expression of excitement or onomatopoeic imitation of an objective things. But he maintained the relationship between subjectivity and objectivity is mediated by symbolism in human language. His view on this interrelationship owes much to Wilhelm von Humboldt who developed the idea of the objectification of human mind. However, Cassirer took this idea further and suggested the idea of linguistic expression of ‘metaphorical thinking’ as a specific method of human activity of objectification. Therefore, language, through metaphorical thinking, is what secures the possibility of understanding the objective world. Through these discussions, Cassirer not only presents us a resolution to the conflict between subjectivism and objectivism but also a possible way of understanding life.