Susanne Langer (20 December 1895-1985) was an American philosopher of art, one of the first female academic philosophers in the USA, popular in the past but now often forgotten
She is best known for her 1942 book “Philosophy in a New Key”, where she put forth an idea that she developed in her following studies and has become commonplace today: man’s fundamental need to use symbols.
While all animal life is dominated by feeling, human feeling is mediated through conceptions, symbols, and language.
“The symbol-making function is one of man’s primary activities, like eating, looking, or moving about. It is the fundamental process of his mind, and goes on all the time.”
Therefore symbolism must be the central concern of philosophy because it underlies all human knowing and understanding
“Art is the creation of forms symbolic of human feeling.”
“Nature, as man has always known it, he knows no more. Since he has learned to esteem signs above symbols, to suppress his emotional reactions in favor of practical ones and make use of nature instead of holding so much of it sacred, he has altered the face, if not the heart, of reality.”
“Fire is a natural symbol of life and passion, though it is the one element in which nothing can actually live.”
Susanne Langer had an influence in many fields: for example, “Langeria magnifica”, an extinct genus of flowering plants in the witch-hazel family was named after her by Wolfe & Wehr, 1987.
Susanne Langer (20 dicembre 1895-1985) fu una filosofa dell’arte americana, una delle prime filosofe accademiche negli USA, popolare in passato ma oggi pressoché dimenticata.
Nota per il suo libro del 1942 ” Filosofia in una Nuova Chiave”, dove introdusse un’idea, sviluppata anche nei suoi studi successivi, che è diventata oggi comune: la necessità fondamentale dell’uomo di usare simboli
Infatti, mentre tutta la vita animale è dominata dagli istinti, il sentire umano è mediato da rappresentazioni, simboli e linguaggio.
“La funzione di creare simboli è una delle attività primarie dell’uomo, come mangiare, guardare o muoversi. È il processo fondamentale della sua mente e procede continuamente”.
Pertanto il simbolismo deve essere la preoccupazione centrale della filosofia perché alla base di tutta la conoscenza e la comprensione umana
“L’arte è la creazione di forme simboliche delle sensazioni umane. “
“L’uomo non conosce più la natura, come l’ha sempre conosciuta. Da quando ha imparato a considerare i segni superiori ai simboli, a sopprimere le sue reazioni emotive a favore di quelle pratiche e a servirsi della natura invece di considerarla sacra, ha alterato il volto, se non il cuore, della realtà”.
“Il fuoco è un simbolo naturale di vita e passione, sebbene sia l’unico elemento in cui nulla può effettivamente vivere.”
Susanne Langer ha avuto influenza in molti campi: ad esempio, alla “Langeria magnifica“, un genere estinto di piante da fiore della famiglia dell’amamelide, è stato dato il suo nome da Wolfe & Wehr, 1987
IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons – Kevmin: Hamamelidaceae fossils – Langeria magnifica- Klondike Mountain Formation
“Fire is a natural symbol of life and passion, though it is the one element in which nothing can actually live.”
I stay with this phrase because in symbolic language, passion allows us to speak and think beyond what is spoken and thought when writing a poem.
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I am much obliged as always for your visit and inspiring comment my dear Manuel. 🥰🤗🙏💖😘
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You are welcome
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🙏😚🙏
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So great author’s story and so happy to read 🌷👌🙏❤️😍 grace wishes ❤️🎄
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Grateful that you think so. Thank you for reading and for your beautiful thoughts. 🌺💐🌺💐🌺
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Thank you so much for sharing for us 🌷🙏♥️🌷
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🙏💕🙏
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We are champion of forgetting our past . Despite this fact that future depends on our past . Susanne Langer is one of the writers who wrote in philosophy . Philosophy is not only a subject but a language . She wrote gently but she was forgotten crudely . This is our old habit . She was not only from the USA but she was the citizen of this beautiful but cruel world of ours . A noble writer . A researcher & searcher of human feelings. Mediated through conceptions , symbols and language . Wrong . Absolutely wrong . Virtually mediated through cruelty , narcissistic approach and gigantic mentality . Really so . Fact is this . Our VEDAS said that if any Hyme of it is wrong . Correct it . Disbelieve it . Think ahead . But don’t forget a prestigious writer like Susanne Langer . Thanks !
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So excellent comment message 🌷🙏👍🏻 you are a promising writer 👌😊♥️ grace wishes 👏
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An Italian humorous writer pointed out that man has a historical memory similar to that of a goldfish: only a few seconds.
This is the tragedy of mankind
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You are also a great writer and the historical stories of great peoples life
Explanations and sonnet in English literature also explaining so nicely!!
Am so glad that you are my friend and more I can learn from you ❤️🙏
Grace wishes and thank you 👏🥰
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Thank you for the lovely comment. 🙏💐🙏
I am delighted to receive your visits, your messages, and, mostly, to have you among my dear friends💕💕💕
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Same to same 👍🏻🌷♥️ All The Best for You dear 🙏😊💕
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💕💐💕💐💕
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Thanks !
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🙏🌺🙏
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Thanks !
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🙏🙏🙏
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An Italian humorous writer pointed out that man has a historical memory similar to that of a goldfish: only a few seconds.
This is the tragedy of mankind
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Thanks !
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Most welcome 🙏🐟🙏
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❤😍
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Thank you!
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Quante volte mi sono chiesta a chi mai sarà venuta l’idea di dare un nome ad ogni cosa! Oggi grazie a te Luisa, lo so!!! 🙂 ❤
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Grazie per il meraviglioso commento, Vitty
Buon pomeriggio 🙏😘🙏
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Grazie a te Luisa per tutte le cose belle che ci fai scoprire!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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💗💗💗
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Very interesting.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on the article. 🙏
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Beh, anche l’alfabeto ed i numeri possono apparire come simboli, perché identificano il linguaggio e la matematica, due fondamenta della civiltà e del suo sviluppo.
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Proprio così: grazie per l’osservazione!
Buona serata 🌕⭐🌕
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Anche questo post molto interessante, belle le citazioni e quella che maggiormente mi è piaciuta è la penultima❣❣❣
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E’ una citazione sempre valida, che ci vede tutti un po’ colpevoli
Grazie e buona serata, Giusy cara💕
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Altrettanto carissima 😘
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🤗❤️🤗
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In today’s world where people are usually travelling around the globe, then symbols cut right through language barriers – and that to me is a fantastic legacy.
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That’s right, dear Malc, and I thank you for bringing this aspect of the matter to our attention💐
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Che bello mi piace molto la simbologia
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Lo immaginavo, Paola cara.
Piace molto anche a me 🌺🌺🌺
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🥰
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I love learning about symbols so I can relate to this!
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Thank you for your heart-warming comment. I am glad you could relate to it 💕
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Interessantissimo il concetto di arte come creazione di forme simboliche delle sensazione.
GRAZIE Luisa ❤
Se si può considerare come simbolo un abbraccio, te lo dedico.
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Certo, un abbraccio simbolizza infinite cose e io lo contraccambio subito con tanto affetto 🤗🤗🤗
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❤
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Fascinating… I’m sure this applies to every art form, going back to cave paintings and ancient runes.
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I totally agree with you and thank you for your valued comment 🙏⭐🙏
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Enjoyed the history of this post – thanks
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I’m really pleased to know that you enjoyed the post.
Thank you so much and best wishes 🙏⭐️.
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Reblogged this on The sense.
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Grazie di cuore ❤️💙❤️💜
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Luisa, thanks for resurrecting the memory of this lady. She still has a lot to offer. I like her insight about fire’s symbol.
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Thank you, dear Pat: I don’t understand why some good thinkers fall into oblivion –
Do you think it’s just a question of trends or they become cumbersome?!?
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Could be trends. Could be because she was a woman.
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👍💜💜💜
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è vero. Per noi i simboli sono diventati tnto famigliari da non accorgersi della loro esistenza.
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🙏🌺🙏
Grazie e buona serata, Bear🤗
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un sorriso
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Thank you for this post Luisa. It may be short but it is fascinating which is why I also like your posts so much xxx
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I’m pleased that you enjoyed reading this post.
Thank You for your encouraging words.🙏💕🙏
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Thank you for introducing me to Susanne Langer. I proved your point about her not being well-known today, as I had never heard of her.
Best wishes,
Tanja
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Thank you very much, Tanja! I am so happy and pleased that you enjoyed this post!
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Well written and informative post! I am continuously amazed at how many intelligent female pioneers have been forgotten and glossed over. Thanks for bringing her story back to life!
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I am much obliged for your kind visit and your inspiring comment 🌹🌼🌹
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La simbologia è affascinante, grazie per questo post interessante.
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Grazie! Anch’io ne sono affascinata 🙏🌹🙏
Buona serata
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[…] Symbols […]
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I appreciate the reblog 🙏💟🙏
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Şaşırtıcı
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I did not understand, but I thank you the same! ❣️🌟❣️
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