| Summary: | In the following paper,
I would like to reconsider the
paradigm of “classical”
philosophical anthropology in the
perspective of postmodernity. I
plead in favor of an
anthropological project
continuing the tradition of
Lebensphilosophie, especially
Otto Friedrich Bollnow’s claim
for an anthropology without
images. In fact, I present here a
few considerations about a
hermeneutic approach to
anthropology. I try to make
plausible that anthropology
should not investigate the nature
of the human being and his place
in the cosmos, but rather
describe identities in a
practical sense. Its task is
dual: it has to give a critical
understanding of the unconscious
images that form identities, both
at a social and personal level;
at the same time, it has to make
appeal to a sense of
responsibility for others and for
the shaping of one’s personal way of life. The mythological figure of Hermes, guide of souls and
protector of transitions, is perfectly suited to this dual role of a hermeneutic anthropology,
which not only makes theory, but also creates awareness and new opportunities for human
advancement.
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