Ernst Cassirer: The Dilemma of a Liberal Intellectual in Germany, 1914-1933 (review)

BOOK REVIEWS go 9 fact govern our experience must he empirically determined. On this point at least Kant fully agrees with Hume. My reference to Kant's projected integrative system of nature throws light also on the arguments of the first and second Analogies. In discussing them Brittan shows (p. 168) that the first Analogy does not involve a non sequitur (as maintained by Strawson and Suchting) and that the second Analogy is not circular (as held by Murphy). His own view differs also in important respects from that developed by Reichenbach. Brittan quotes A549/B576: "For every cause prest, pposes a rule according to which certain appearances follow as effects; and every ryle requires uniformity in its effects. This uniformity is, indeed, that upon which the concept of cause.., is based, and so far as it must be exhibited by mere appearances may be named the empirical character of the cause." Given the character of the projected system of nature, what Kant here says is in all essentials an analytic implicate of that system. And it is in this sense that the Analogies may also be understood. Beginning on page 133, Brittan discusses "Kant's program.., to 'construct' the concept of matter" as being of "the center of natural science." Commentators have generally disagreed about the role and status of the concept 'matter' in Kant's philosophy . But Kant himself struggled with the problem and returned to it again and again in the Opus postumum, where he finally identified matter with an all-pervasive Ether whose vibratory pulsations form the particles of matter--such as atoms or subatomic particles--an idea comparable to that of modern wave mechanics as developed by de Broglie and Schr6dinger. And so, when Brittan states (p. 139) that "Kant thought that he could establish the 'pure' natural science.., for all time," he is but partly right. And when he adds, "It is at this point that we, having passed through at least two conceptual revolutions in physics since the 18 century, must break with him," he again is only partly right. The Opus postumum may at least suggest a reconsideration of that point of view. There are other important matters Brittan discusses in detail and analyzes in his careful, knowledgeable, and helpful way. I would like to discuss them here, but my space is limited: All I can say in conclusion is that Kant's Theo~ of Science deserves wide recognition and careful study. W. 1-I, WERKMEISTER Florida State University David R. Lipton. Ernst Cassirer: The Dilemma of a Liberal Intellectual in Germany, z9t 4z933 . Toronto and Buffalo: University of Toronto Press, 1978. Pp. xi + 212. $t5.oo. The author of this intellectual biography, a historian, terms Cassirer's socialphilosophical position "Liberal." By this Lipton refers primarily to Cassirer's commitment to preserve the autonomy of the individual, which he says is "the most striking characteristic of Cassirer's life and work" (p. 3). Other important elements in Cassirer 's liberalism are, Lipton contends, a cosmopolitan, that is, antinationalistic, view 21o HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY of world history and a belief in the universality of human rights. Apart from distinguishing this form of liberalism very briefly from economic Liberalism's emphasis on preserving the laissezfaire market, Lipton's characterization of Cassirer's liberalism is quite vague. For example, the doctrine of human rights is only mentioned; it is never discussed in terms of particular rights or their justification. In fact, Lipton never presents Cassirer's philosophical reasons for upholding such a "liberal" social philosophy . The author appears to believe that the examination of historical context in an intellectual biography permits dispensing with a closer analysis of a thinker's ideas themselves, taken in their own terms. Lipton explicates the development of Cassirer's philosophy by correlating it with the political and intellectual "pressures" of the time between the beginning of World War I and Hitler's rise and assumption of power. According to the author, there was a clash between Cassirer's "abstract" philosophical position and the political situation that faced Cassirer as a supporter of democracy during that period of German history. Cassirer was in a dilemma, Lipton claims, that caused him to...