Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in Symbolism of Reason, Rite & Art 3 e (Paper Only): Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite and Art (Third Edition)

Susanne K; Langer

ISBN 10: 0674665031 / ISBN 13: 9780674665033

Published by Harvard University Press, 1996

About this Item

1990. paperback. Modern theories of meaning usually culminate in a critique of science. "Philosophy in a New Key" presents a study of human intelligence beginning with a semantic theory and leading into a critique of music. Series: Harvard paperbacks. Num Pages: 334 pages, illustrations. BIC Classification: HP. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 204 x 138 x 23. Weight in Grams: 388. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780674665033

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in Symbolism of Reason, Rite & Art 3 e (Paper Only): Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite and Art (Third Edition)
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674665031
• ISBN 13: 9780674665033
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 3rd Edition
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Modern theories of meaning usually culminate in a critique of science. This book presents a study of human intelligence beginning with a semantic theory and leading into a critique of music.

By implication it sets up a theory of all the arts; the transference of its basic concepts to other arts than music is not developed, but it is sketched, mainly in the chapter on artistic import. Thoughtful readers of the original edition discovered these far-reaching ideas quickly enough as the career of the book shows: it is as applicable to literature, art and music as to the field of philosophy itself.

The topics it deals with are many: language, sacrament, myth, music, abstraction, fact, knowledge--to name only the main ones. But through them all goes the principal theme, symbolic transformation as the essential activity of human minds. This central idea, emphasizing as it does the notion of symbolism, brings Mrs. Langer's book into line with the prevailing interest in semantics. All profound issues of our age seem to center around the basic concepts of symbolism and meaning. The formative, creative, articulating power of symbols is the tonic chord which thinkers of all schools and many diverse fields are unmistakably striking; the surprising, far-reaching implications of this new fundamental conception constitute what Mrs. Langer has called "philosophy in a new key."

Mrs. Langer's book brings the discussion of symbolism into a wider general use than criticism of word meaning. Her volume is vigorous, effective, and well written and will appeal to everyone interested in the contemporary problems of philosophy.

From the Back Cover

A study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite, And Art: These ideas, tentative and imperfect as their expression in this first book had to be, now promise to transcend the realm of 'anesthetics' (to use the unfortunate current word), and lead us to a new philosophy of living form, living nature, mind, and some of the very deep problems of human society that we usually designate as ethical problems.