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Marra Henrigillis, Jennifer

Normativity of symbolic forms as objective moral standards in culture

2021 - Bibliopolis

P. 185-199

  • In a time when morality itself has been undermined by rampant subjectivism and relativism on the one hand, and callous indifference on the other, we find ourselves in search of some universal guiding principle for moral decision making. But there is a danger, of course. Cultures that value individualism over all praise subjectivism and relativism for its tolerance and acceptance, dismissing strict objectivity as fascist. I argue thatit is possible to have an objective ethic that respects humanity in all its variety and diversity while simultaneously providing, indeed insisting upon, an objective, foundational standard for normative judgment. I believe Cassirer provides us with such an ethic – it is laced within his philosophy of symbolic forms and the driving force of his later works.
  • In this study, I will argue that normativity is built into the philosophy of symbolic forms at two levels: on the level of individual objects in relation to their appropriate symbolic form, and on the level of forms in their relation to other forms. Such normativity is objective, not relative, and cannot be reduced to mere subjective taste. The implications for this study are vast, both for Cassirer studies and moral investigations into contemporary issues.[Publisher's text]

Is part of

Cassirer studies : XIII/XIV, 2020/2021