Abstract

Though in a slightly recalcitrant mood, continental Neo-Scholastic writers have been for many decades quite extensively dealing with Kant and the major "critical" problems. An interesting product of this preoccupation is Santeler's long study of the foundation of human dignity in Kant. The thesis of the author is that Kant rejected metaphysics, i.e., ontology, not so much because of the well-known classical theoretical and epistemological reasons but in order to formulate a more fundamental, more autonomous notion of human dignity. We could say the Santeler is motivated by the famous Kantian remark about limiting understanding in order to make room for faith. There is undoubtedly a considerable amount of historical scholarship in those small-printed pages but their fighting mood is more reminiscent of contemporary Anglo-American Kant literature than of the usual elaborate exegesis offered by Continental scholars.--M. J. V.