Anthropology from a Kantian Point of View

This Element argues that Kantian anthropology is an empirical, popular, and, above all, pragmatic enterprise - 'the eye of true philosophy'.

Robert B. Louden (Author)

9781108742283, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 March 2021

75 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.4 cm, 0.111 kg

Kant's anthropological works represent a very different side of his philosophy, one that stands in sharp contrast to the critical philosophy of the three Critiques. For the most part, Kantian anthropology is an empirical, popular, and, above all, pragmatic enterprise. After tracing its origins both within his own writings and within Enlightenment culture, the Element turns next to an analysis of the structure and several key themes of Kantian anthropology, followed by a discussion of two longstanding contested features - viz., moral anthropology and transcendental anthropology. The Element concludes with a defense of the value and importance of Kantian anthropology, along with replies to a variety of criticisms that have been levelled at it over the years. Kantian anthropology, the author argues, is 'the eye of true philosophy'.

1. Origins
2. Structure and Key Themes
3. Two Contested Features
4. The Value and Importance of Kant's Anthropology.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Anthropology [JHM], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy: aesthetics [HPN], Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge [HPK], History of Western philosophy [HPC], Philosophy [HP]