Michel Foucault’s Introduction to Kant’s Anthropology represents a pivotal scholarly engagement with Immanuel Kant’s Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View, penned as Foucault’s doctoral dissertation in 1961. This manuscript stands as a foundational text elucidating Foucault’s philosophical relationship with Kant and his engagement with the critical tradition of philosophy. The dense and insightful commentary is an introduction to Kant’s often-neglected work and a crucial exposition of Foucault’s early intellectual trajectory and philosophical preoccupations.
Foucault’s analysis delves deeply into Kant’s anthropological treatise, revealing a discourse on the interplay between psychology and anthropology and their interaction with temporality. At the core of Foucault’s critique is the notion of psychology’s potential transformation into a metaphysical system, a concern that prompts him to explore the empirical study of humanity through Kant’s lens. In his commentary, Foucault engages with Kant’s argument that any empirical knowledge of humanity is inherently linked to language, proposing that man’s status as a “world citizen” is contingent upon his linguistic capabilities. This leads Foucault to argue that anthropology, for both Kant and himself, is not merely about understanding human nature or self-consciousness, but about interrogating the boundaries of human knowledge and concrete existence.
Foucault’s text is instrumental in bridging the gap between Kant’s philosophical framework and his own emerging perspectives. His critique extends beyond academic analysis and addresses the structuralist anthropology and the status of human sciences in relation to the concept of finitude. This early work by Foucault can be seen as a precursor to his seminal text The Order of Things, outlining the contours of his future philosophical endeavors and establishing a critical stance towards the notion of a unified, essential human nature.
In this exhaustive commentary, Foucault scrutinizes the foundational questions posed by Kant: How does psychology contribute to our pragmatic understanding of man as a world citizen? What are the implications of studying man empirically? How does the concept of time, art, and technique influence our perception of self and language? Foucault’s examination reveals a deep engagement with Kant’s critique of anthropological slumber and the dangers of treating psychological constructs as metaphysical absolutes.
The Introduction to Kant’s Anthropology offers an investigation into the nature of time and its role in human cognition and experience. Foucault’s interpretation challenges the traditional dichotomy between the knowing subject and the object of knowledge, highlighting a tension between the transcendental subject as the basis of knowledge and its empirical investigation. This tension, as Foucault illustrates, underscores a significant philosophical contradiction in Kant’s work and sets the stage for his own critical reflections on the nature of human subjectivity and the limits of knowledge.
The text also ventures into a critique of anthropological positivism, cautioning against attempts to formalize anthropology as a positive science grounded in metaphysical principles. Instead, Foucault argues that anthropology must retain its critical edge, focusing on the limits and finitude inherent in human knowledge rather than seeking to establish a definitive, metaphysical account of human nature. This approach resonates with Foucault’s later work, where he continues to grapple with the implications of finitude and the construction of knowledge.
The manuscript further explores Kant’s concept of Gemüt, or inner sense, as an essential element in understanding human experience. Foucault’s analysis of Gemüt reveals a critical reflection on the interplay between passivity and spontaneity in the formation of self-consciousness and empirical knowledge. This exploration of the inner sense and its relation to time and technique underscores Foucault’s concern with the empirical study of man and the limitations of psychological and anthropological frameworks.
Foucault’s engagement with Kant’s anthropology extends to a broader philosophical inquiry into the nature of truth and language. He examines Kant’s portrayal of human conviviality and the role of language in the formation of universal truth, emphasizing that man’s status as a world citizen is intrinsically linked to his capacity for linguistic exchange. This insight into the relationship between language, truth, and human identity foreshadows Foucault’s later explorations of discourse and the construction of knowledge.
Introduction to Kant’s Anthropology is a significant scholarly contribution, not only enhancing our understanding of Kant’s anthropological theories but also illuminating Foucault’s early philosophical development. It serves as a crucial reference point for scholars seeking to grasp the nuances of Foucault’s critique of human sciences, the concept of finitude, and the intersection of Kantian and Foucauldian thought. Through this detailed commentary, Foucault offers a profound reflection on the limits of human knowledge, the role of language, and the nature of empirical study, paving the way for his subsequent philosophical investigations and challenging established notions of subjectivity and existence.
Simon Gros 
Leave a comment