Philosophical anthropology

Abstract

The way in which Agazzi intends to explore the dynamics of knowledge, metaphysics, or language, just to mention some of the many subjects of his researches, is not only inseparable from his idea of human being, but it is in fact its most direct consequence and expression. Ultimately, it is illusory to speak of a scientific image of the entire human reality as it is illusory to assume a complete scientific image of any particular reality. Taking up Wilfrid Sellars ’ suggestion, Agazzi invites us to verify the validity of the scientific image of humanity and the epistemic compatibility with its ”manifest’ image. In particular, according to Agazzi the perspective of the ought, is something we can ascertain as an empirical fact, but it is not limited to the empirical evidence: it refers to a criterion that in itself does not belong to experience but to a ”metaphysical’ level; an ideal of perfection, never fully realized, a general requirement of normativity which is present in all aspects of human agency. From this starting point Agazzi’s anthropological reflection proceeds to the metaphysical delineation of personal identity, the relationship between mind and body and, ultimately, the dignity of the human person.