Natur ist Symbol : eine kulturphilosophische Sicht auf die Natur in Anlehnung an Ernst Cassirer

This article reflects on the relationship between humans and nature, drawing on Ernst Cassirer's cultural-philosophical approach. By emphasizing symbolicpregnance, nature is understood as a symbol, i.e., as the product of symbolic mediation. This allows us to recognize the fundamental interconnection betweenhumans and nature, moving beyond simplistic dualisms and monisms.The concept of nature is therefore never ‘neutral', but is always symbolicallymediated through myth, religion, aesthetics, science, technology, morality, politics, and so on. On the one hand, viewing nature as a symbol resolves thecontradictions inherent in dualistic approaches that idealize untouched natureand advocate its artificial restoration.

Conversely, this approach avoids the difficultiesof monistic positions that dissolve the differences between humansand non-humans by thinking in terms of networks. Understanding nature as asymbol enables us to recognize the interconnected unity between humans andnature that stems from their difference. This allows us to question how humansinteract with nature, develop new ways of engaging with it and establishmore sustainable cultural practices. [Publisher's text]

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