Susanne K. Langer on Symbolism

Paper Summary:

According to Susanne K. Langer in "Philosophy in a New Key", symbolism plays an enormously vital role in the evolution of the mind of man.
This paper explains the views of Langer--what divides humankind from other animals is "a vast and special evolution of feeling". It shows that this feeling arises from man's propensity to symbolize anything which comes within reach of his individuating brain. The paper discusses how Langer distinguishes between two varieties of 'signs' and how she confronts the question whether man has a need for symbolization. Finally, the paper looks at Langer's interpretation of the concept of 'communication'.

From the Paper:

"Langer distinguishes between discursive symbolism and what she labels presentational symbolism. Discursive symbolism belongs to the realm of language while presentational symbolism to that of art, dream, fantasy, myth, and rite. The cognitive value we receive from the apprehension of presentational symbols lies in their necessity as a foundation to our development of language. If we had never experienced the richness and diversity of ideation inherent in presentational symbols, we could never have acquired the tools words to structure the vast edifice of grammatical form. Langer devotes much of PNK to explaining how presentational symbolism plays this, its most demanding role."

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