The Symbol Theory by Norbert Elias
A sociological-philosophical exploration of how the uniquely human capacity to create and manipulate symbols—especially language—emerged in evolution and transformed learning, foresight, and social coordination. It distinguishes animal signaling from human symbol systems and shows how external media like writing and scientific notation amplify memory, self-regulation, and cumulative knowledge. Treating cognition as a process rooted in interdependent social figurations rather than an inner essence, it explains how symbol use reshapes personality structures, power balances, and long-term historical development.
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- Published
- 1991
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Unknown
- Pages
- Unknown
- Original Language
- German
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- Alternate Titles
- - Die Symboltheorie
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