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'''Karl Jaspers''' (23 February 1883 – 26 February 1969) was a German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher who had a strong influence on modern theology, psychiatry, and philosophy. After being trained in and practicing psychiatry, Jaspers turned to philosophical inquiry and attempted to discover an innovative philosophical system. He was often viewed as a major exponent of existentialism in Germany, though he did not accept the label.
{{Infobox philosopher
| name = Karl Jaspers
| image = [[File:Karl Jaspers 1946.jpg|thumb]]
| caption = Karl Jaspers in 1946
| birth_date = {{birth date|1883|2|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Oldenburg, German Empire
| death_date = {{death date and age|1969|2|26|1883|2|23|df=y}}
| death_place = Basel, Switzerland
| nationality = German
| era = 20th-century philosophy
| region = Western philosophy
| school_tradition = [[Existentialism]], [[Phenomenology]]
| main_interests = [[Psychiatry]], [[Philosophy of existence]], [[Theology]]
| notable_ideas = [[Existenz]], [[Limit situation]], [[Encompassing]]
}}


== Early life and education ==
'''Karl Theodor Jaspers''' (23 February 1883 – 26 February 1969) was a German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher who had a major influence on modern theology, psychiatry, and philosophy. He is best known for his work in [[existentialism]] and [[phenomenology]].
Jaspers was born in Oldenburg in 1883 to a mother from a local farming community, and a civil servant father. He showed an early interest in philosophy, but his father's experience with the legal system undoubtedly influenced his decision to study law at university. It soon became clear that Jaspers did not particularly enjoy law, and he switched to studying medicine in 1902 with a thesis about criminology.


== Career ==
== Early Life and Education ==
In 1910 Jaspers was hired at the psychiatric hospital of the University of Heidelberg where he worked under Franz Nissl. Jaspers became dissatisfied with the way the medical community of the time approached the study of mental illness and gave himself the task of improving the psychiatric approach. In 1913 Jaspers habilitated at the philosophical faculty of the Heidelberg University and gained there in 1914 a post as a psychology teacher.
Karl Jaspers was born in Oldenburg, Germany. He studied law at the University of Heidelberg before switching to medicine. Jaspers completed his medical degree in 1909 and began working at a psychiatric hospital in Heidelberg.


== Philosophy ==
== Career in Psychiatry ==
Jaspers' dissatisfaction with the popular understanding of mental illness led him to question both the diagnostic criteria and the methods of clinical psychiatry. He published a revolutionary paper in 1911 in which he addressed the problem of whether paranoia was an aspect of personality or the result of biological changes. Although it did not broach new ideas, this article introduced a rather unusual method of study, at least according to the norms then prevalent.
Jaspers initially worked as a psychiatrist and published his first major work, ''General Psychopathology'', in 1913. This work laid the foundation for a new approach to psychiatry, emphasizing the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of patients. Jaspers argued that mental illness could not be fully understood through empirical observation alone, but required a deeper exploration of the patient's personal experiences and existential conditions.


== Death and legacy ==
[[File:Karl Jaspers 1910.jpg|thumb|Karl Jaspers in 1910]]
Jaspers died in 1969 in Basel, Switzerland. His death was followed by a period of great mourning and appreciation for his contributions to the fields of philosophy, psychiatry, and theology. His work continues to have a profound impact on these fields today.


[[Category:Philosophers]]
== Transition to Philosophy ==
In 1921, Jaspers became a professor of philosophy at the University of Heidelberg. His philosophical work was heavily influenced by [[Immanuel Kant]], [[Friedrich Nietzsche]], and [[Søren Kierkegaard]]. Jaspers developed the concept of "[[Existenz]]", which refers to the authentic self that emerges in moments of crisis or "limit situations".
 
== Major Philosophical Contributions ==
Jaspers is known for his exploration of "limit situations"—extreme conditions such as death, suffering, and conflict that challenge individuals to confront the limits of their existence. He believed that these situations could lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
 
Jaspers also introduced the idea of the "[[Encompassing]]", a concept that refers to the ultimate reality that transcends human understanding. He argued that philosophy should aim to explore the boundaries of human knowledge and the mysteries that lie beyond.
 
== Influence and Legacy ==
Jaspers' work has had a significant impact on existential philosophy, theology, and psychiatry. He influenced many thinkers, including [[Martin Heidegger]], [[Hannah Arendt]], and [[Paul Tillich]]. His ideas continue to be studied and debated in contemporary philosophical and theological discussions.
 
[[File:Jaspers, Karl 1913.jpg|thumb|Karl Jaspers in 1913]]
 
== Also see ==
* [[Existentialism]]
* [[Phenomenology]]
* [[Søren Kierkegaard]]
* [[Martin Heidegger]]
* [[Hannah Arendt]]
 
== References ==
* Jaspers, Karl. ''General Psychopathology''. University of Chicago Press, 1963.
* Jaspers, Karl. ''Philosophy of Existence''. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1971.
 
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:1883 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:German philosophers]]
[[Category:Existentialists]]
[[Category:Phenomenologists]]
[[Category:Psychiatrists]]
[[Category:Psychiatrists]]
[[Category:German-Swiss people]]
[[Category:People from Oldenburg]]
{{stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}

Latest revision as of 02:49, 11 December 2024


Karl Jaspers

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Karl Jaspers in 1946


{{This 'philosopher' related article is a stub.}}


Karl Theodor Jaspers (23 February 1883 – 26 February 1969) was a German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher who had a major influence on modern theology, psychiatry, and philosophy. He is best known for his work in existentialism and phenomenology.

Early Life and Education[edit]

Karl Jaspers was born in Oldenburg, Germany. He studied law at the University of Heidelberg before switching to medicine. Jaspers completed his medical degree in 1909 and began working at a psychiatric hospital in Heidelberg.

Career in Psychiatry[edit]

Jaspers initially worked as a psychiatrist and published his first major work, General Psychopathology, in 1913. This work laid the foundation for a new approach to psychiatry, emphasizing the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of patients. Jaspers argued that mental illness could not be fully understood through empirical observation alone, but required a deeper exploration of the patient's personal experiences and existential conditions.

Karl Jaspers in 1910

Transition to Philosophy[edit]

In 1921, Jaspers became a professor of philosophy at the University of Heidelberg. His philosophical work was heavily influenced by Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Søren Kierkegaard. Jaspers developed the concept of "Existenz", which refers to the authentic self that emerges in moments of crisis or "limit situations".

Major Philosophical Contributions[edit]

Jaspers is known for his exploration of "limit situations"—extreme conditions such as death, suffering, and conflict that challenge individuals to confront the limits of their existence. He believed that these situations could lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

Jaspers also introduced the idea of the "Encompassing", a concept that refers to the ultimate reality that transcends human understanding. He argued that philosophy should aim to explore the boundaries of human knowledge and the mysteries that lie beyond.

Influence and Legacy[edit]

Jaspers' work has had a significant impact on existential philosophy, theology, and psychiatry. He influenced many thinkers, including Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, and Paul Tillich. His ideas continue to be studied and debated in contemporary philosophical and theological discussions.

Karl Jaspers in 1913

Also see[edit]

References[edit]

  • Jaspers, Karl. General Psychopathology. University of Chicago Press, 1963.
  • Jaspers, Karl. Philosophy of Existence. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1971.
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