Between duty and contingency. On some figures of the humanistic tradition in Kant

One must distinguish between the Enlightenment concept and humanistic of humanity. The former indicates a universal deontological ideal; latter selective set personal social virtues. Kant is champion but inherits various aspects tradition that began at end fourteenth century. This tradition, which largely coincides with so-called Hofliteratur , eclectically combines elements ancient Christian ethics adds strong pedagogical, aesthetic socio-political trait to outline secular morality self-government. After briefly presenting “humanist family”, article examines some figures present in Kantian ethics: Weltbürger self-improvement humanitas . Through them I show substantial role education, taste interplay. They converge sphere pragmatic anthropology, moment morals become involved dramatic theatre world its dialectic rhetoric appearance. Here imperative intersect as prudence art living. Rational freedom intersects contingency reality inscrutability psyche. Morality becomes more impure, also richer suited take up challenge being human.