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Abstract
To date Cassirer's inquiry into myth consciousness has only been dealt with in a few brief essays. However, the concept of myth is of central importance for the understanding of his philosophy. The aim of the present masters thesis is to investigate that concept with reference to Cassirer's main work, the "Philosophy of Symbolic Forms", published in three volumes 1923-1929.
Cassirer sees myths as early patterns of thought. His claim that myths can be explained in their own terms is linked to a criticism of an overly narrow view of rationality. His thesis is that man perceives the world in symbolic forms, and that science is only one of many forms.
The thesis seeks to place Cassirer's theory of myth in its historical context, relating it to the works of writers like Francis Bacon, Vico and Holderlin. There is a separate chapter on the philosophy of language which he developed on the analogy of his concept of myth. No final answer, but rather a possible approach to answers, is offered to such questions as: Is Cassirer's theory of myth still relevant today? What elements of his myth concept are of lasting value? The biographical section makes use of previously unpublished material.
