Anthropology from a pragmatic point of view

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In the fall semester of 1772/73 at the Albertus University of Königsberg, Immanuel Kant began lectures on anthropology, continuing until 1776, shortly before his retirement. His lecture notes were published in 1798, eight years after the Critique of Judgment. This edition is a translation from volume 7 of Kants gesammelte Schriften, edited by Oswald Külpe. Kant presents anthropology as a systematic doctrine of human knowledge, distinguishing between physiological and pragmatic approaches. He emphasizes the pragmatic aspect, aiming to establish it as a regular academic discipline. Kant explores "what Nature makes of man" versus "what man as a free being makes of himself," asserting that anthropology reveals pragmatic knowledge about humanity. He positions individuals as world citizens within the cosmos. Library Journal summarizes the cloth edition, noting Kant's insights on sensation, imagination, judgment, taste, emotion, passion, moral character, and the ideal of a cosmopolitan society. This work serves as a vital resource for English readers seeking to understand the connections among Kant's metaphysics of nature, morals, and political theory. The editor's notes, incorporating material from Ernst Cassirer’s edition and Kant’s marginalia, provide valuable context for the text.