In 1933 eminent philosopher Ernst Cassirer (1874 - 1945) fled Nazi Germany for the United States. His fame in Europe having already been established through a public debate with Martin Heidegger in 1929, Cassirer would go on to become a noteworthy influence on American culture. His most important early writings focused on the symbol and symbolic...

It is typical of humans to create forms of understanding at a symbolic level of the biological and physiological reality that confronts them. This gives meaning and a coherent structure to the often chaotic nature of that reality. This book sums up several years of research into religion from a perspective informed by history, phenomenology, and psychology. Religion has been a means of creating such symbolic understandings. The similarities between various religions are actually very great, although their differences tend to dominate our view of them. Everything in the world of religion can be traced back to everyday simple circumstances which, through the construction of symbols at both the cognitive and the behavioral levels, acquire a more elevated and "sacred" character. The book provides an introduction to the key aspects of a psycho/phenomenological study of the forms of expression within religions. (Series: Nordic Studies in Religion and Culture - Vol. 2) [Subject: Religious Studies, Phenomenology, Psychology]

Frankfurt/M., Berlin, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2002. num. fig. and tables Studies in Sociology: Symbols, Theory and Society. vol. 1 General Editor: Elzbieta Halas Bruxelles, Bern, Berlin, Frankfurt/M., New York, Oxford, Wien, 2002. Travail & Societe. Vol. 36 Directeur de Collection: Philippe Pochet

Ritual Communication provides a perspective on ritual as a special and powerful form of communication. It begins with a critical review of the definitions of ritual and then explores mediated rituals in a variety of situations.

The problem of final destiny remains one of the most perplexing issues in all cultures. After this life, what next? Deeply researched, this book examines Igbo symbols, proverbs and myths and demonstrates their significance as man's pronouncements upon himself; self-confession in the understanding of the African conception of human destiny. It shows, too, that a large part of what traditional Africans believe is couched in symbolic language. Since what is conveyed in language, albeit symbolism, is often not very obvious, the book offers new insights into the relationship between language and Hermeneutics. Using semantics as the axis of reference, it reveals the «accumulative intentions» characteristic of African symbolic forms and the this-life-centredness of their conception of human destiny.

Anyone who wishes to pursue a career in communication with groups needs this comprehensive book on the theories behind communication. This volume provides practical, engaging overviews of over 42 different theories that readers will need to be aware of if they are pursuing this serious field. The authors, established writers and scholars who are known as "the park rangers of communication theory," have provided a user-friendly tour. Accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive, this volume will prove a valuable addition to the literature on the subject. Those involved in communication careers.