Ontological and Epistemological Function of Mythical-Religious Consciousness in the Philosophy of Ernst Cassirer and Mircea Eliade
Studia Religiologica April 30, 2025 DOI: 10.4467/20844077sr.24.002.20743 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article presents a concept of mythical-religious consciousness by examining the meaning-giving role of myth and the category of the sacred in the works of Ernst Cassirer and Mircea Eliade. Despite their differences, both thinkers share an antireductionist and anti-Cartesian approach to myth. The perspective is supplemented with Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutical philosophy to integrate it into broader anthropology. The aim is to establish a synthetic, trans-disciplinary framework drawing on ontology, epistemology, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and religious studies, while acknowledging the risk of oversimplification. The study also connects to ongoing research in 4E cognition to enhance its relevance.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that Cassirer and Eliade share a common antireductionist and anti-Cartesian ground in understanding myth, which can be synthesized with Ricoeur's hermeneutics and 4E cognition research. |
Abstract
The aim of this article is to present the concept of mythical-religious consciousness and present its ontological and epistemological significance through the meaning-giving aspect of myth and the category of the sacred as demonstrated by Ernst Cassirer and Mircea Eliade. Regardless of the significant differences in the understanding of myth and religion of both thinkers, we shall try to present the common ground, which we believe they have shared within the bounds of their antireductionist and anti-Cartesian attitudes towards the subject of myth. We shall supplement this perspective with the hermeneutical philosophy of Paul Ricoeur (and others) to make this more coherent within the broader field of anthropology. In doing so, we hope to establish a synthetic perspective for such study, rather than relying on analysis and criticism alone. As such, this will be a trans-disciplinary study of literary sources on the intersections of ontology, epistemology, linguistics, psychology, sociology and religious studies, which exposes itself for a critique of oversimplification from all the disciplines listed. Finally, we shall also attempt to make this study more relevant by reference to the ongoing research in 4E cognition.