L’antropologia filosofica di Gehlen come reazione e superamento della metafisica cartesiana

The purpose of this contribution is to reflect on the theory of action developed by Arnold Gehlen’s (1904-1976) philosophical anthropology. It is a theory capable of effectively distancing itself from Cartesian anthropological thought and, consequently, of recovering a global vision of human nature as a unitary and inseparable reality. Developing a deep reflection that is particularly affected by the mature confrontation with the new biological theories engaged in examining the anatomical and morphological characteristics of the human species, Gehlen is strongly opposed to the Cartesian dualistic scheme, incapable, in his view, of grasping the human being as a whole. Ultimately, this contribution aims to show how the theory of action and the description of man as handelndes Wesen offer Gehlen the opportunity to react to dualism in order to reflect more deeply on the peculiarities and contradictions of a human nature constantly exposed to uncertainties and new possibilities.