Extended abstract
Kant, through his comprehensive philosophical system, resolved the epistemological crisis stemming from the conflict between rationalists (such as Descartes) and empiricists (such as Hume). This crisis revolved around the source and nature of knowledge (pure reason or experience) and concepts like God, free will, and morality. By centering philosophy on "human understanding," Kant positioned humans as autonomous, rational, and free beings. He formulated four fundamental philosophical questions: "What can I know?", "What should I do?", "What may I hope for?", and "What is man?"—with anthropology as the foundation for answering the other three. Kant views the human soul not as an independent substance but as a "transcendental idea" of reason, unifying inner experiences. He rejects transcendent metaphysics, considering the soul as part of nature and subject to empirical knowledge. He distinguishes between the "transcendental self" (the knowing subject) and the "empirical self" (the subject of psychology) but acknowledges the difficulty of explaining their relationship. In his view, the soul organizes perceptions but lacks independent objective reality.
 
Kant introduces two methods for understanding humans: empirical and rational anthropology. Empirical anthropology includes physiological and pragmatic studies that analyze human behavior. He favors the pragmatic approach, emphasizing global applicability, avoidance of introspection, moral relevance, and practical benefits. Kant argues that anthropology should be useful in providing a deeper understanding of human nature. In his pragmatic anthropology, Kant employs tools such as travel, travelogues, history, and artistic works to analyze natural behaviors and identify human essence. However, challenges such as subject self-awareness and environmental influences limit the validity of the findings.
 
**Critique and Analysis:** 
The critique of Kant’s anthropology examines both its overall methodology and specific tools: 1. **Ontological Foundations:** Kant considers the soul material and natural, whereas Islamic philosophy sees it as an independent, immaterial entity. Additionally, his distinction between the "transcendental self" and the "empirical self" leads to an epistemological regress. 2. **Pragmatic Empirical Method:** His focus on external behaviors and avoidance of introspection results in inaccuracies due to subject self-awareness and environmental influences.  3. **Universality of Ethics:** Kant’s cosmopolitanism contradicts his racial biases, evident in his geographical analyses, where he asserts white racial superiority. This limitation weakens his approach to a fair and comprehensive understanding of humanity. 
 
Ultimately, anthropology plays a pivotal role in Kant’s philosophy, and its shortcomings impact his broader philosophical framework. This study examines his foundational ideas and methodological approach, revealing inconsistencies in his definition of human essence and his pragmatic method. The incompatibility of his view with the immaterial soul, the challenges of explaining the "transcendental self," and the constraints of his empirical methods cast doubt on the validity of Kant’s anthropology. Consequently, his approach fails to deliver a precise understanding of human nature, making his philosophical system vulnerable to criticism.