Abstract

Kant’s practical philosophy concerns the concepts of pure reason, autonomy, law and obligation. Also of great importance in it, however, are concepts such as humanity and self-mastery, majority and self-preservation. According to Kant, these concepts concretize the foundation and purpose of our ethical and legal-political action. First, the meaning of these concepts is outlined moving from the four Kantian questions (what can I know? What must I do? What can I hope for? What is man?). Second, Martin Heidegger’s influential critique of humanism is presented, with which Heidegger returns to oppose, immediately after World War II, the legacy of the Enlightenment. Third, Heidegger’s critique is itself subjected to critique with the intention of determining the philosophical content and permanent meaning of Kant’s position. From the perspective of the Kantian conception of humanity, Heidegger’s thought, with its negation of philosophy, ethics and science, stands in fact in the service of a politics of minority.