The Role of the “Symbolic Function” in the Formation of a Scientific Mindset in the Philosophy of E. Cassirer

The analysis of the central concept of Cassirer's philosophy - the symbolic function - allows us to describe the process of constructing individual symbolic forms (myth, religion and science), and the process of transformation of one symbolic form into another (myth into religion, religion into science). It is shown that the difference between the mythological and scientific types of consciousness is due, firstly, to the combination of transcendental functions of expression, representation and designation, as well as the direction of perception. Perception directed at the subject allows us to endow the world with sacred qualities and form a mytho- logical symbolic form, and perception directed from the subject allows us to form a profane scientific mindset, devoid of sacred and expressive qualities.