Karl Jaspers(1883-1969)
Jaspers began studying law in 1901 at the universities of Freiburg im Breisgau and Munich. During this time, he was diagnosed with an incurable disease of his heart and lungs, which meant he had to spend most of his life lying down. It was also the reason that he switched to studying medicine in Berlin. The following year he left Berlin and moved first to Göttingen and then to Heidelberg. In 1908 he completed his studies with the state examination. From 1908 to 1915 he worked as a medical intern at the psychiatric clinic in Heidelberg. He later worked there as an employee. In 1909 he received his doctorate. get a doctorate in med. Jaspers wrote his doctoral thesis on the topic of "Homesickness and Crime".
In the same year he met the renowned sociologist Max Weber, who influenced his thinking. In 1910 Jaspers married the neurologist Gertrud Mayer. Jaspers studied the works of the philosophers Edmund Husserl and Wilhelm Dilthey in detail. In 1913 he received his habilitation as a professor. The title of his habilitation thesis was "General Psychopathology," which provides a methodological overview of this field. In the same year he began working as a private lecturer at Heidelberg University. Jaspers dedicated himself to the psychological analysis and interpretation of philosophical views.
In 1919 his second major work, entitled "Psychology of World Views," was edited. It is about the study of philosophy against the background of science. In the same year he met another great existential philosopher, Martin Heidegger. The contact developed into a friendly relationship. In 1922 Jaspers received a position as a full professor at the University of Heidelberg. Among his students is the philosopher Hanna Arendt. In 1931 his work "The Intellectual Situation of Our Time" was published. In it he counters the judgment that science is the origin of truth. The following year, his major work "Philosophy" was published in three volumes. In it, Jaspers deals with the fundamental concerns of his existential philosophy.
In 1933, the year the National Socialists came to power, Jaspers was excluded from the university administration and forced into retirement. In 1943 he was banned from publishing by the Nazi regime. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, Jaspers took part in the establishment of Heidelberg University. He founded the magazine "Die Wandlung", which aimed to achieve intellectual and moral innovation. In 1947 the first volume of Jasper's work "On Truth" on philosophical logic was published. In the post-war period he criticized the behavior of the Germans during Nazi rule and also in the period after the war in various writings. On the other hand, Jaspers received criticism for this. As a consequence, he left Heidelberg and settled in Basel.
He taught there at the university from 1948. Karl Jaspers saw it as a duty and responsibility to speak out on political issues. He justified the interference with the combination of philosophy and politics against the background of human freedom. Throughout his life, Jaspers gave his opinion on political matters, particularly those of Germany. But he also commented publicly on questions relating to the German scientific community. Jasper's interventions repeatedly gave rise to criticism. In 1957 Jasper's first volume on the world history of philosophy was published under the title "The Great Philosophers". In it he divides the history of philosophy into three main areas and denies it as a progressive process.
The following year, the philosopher was honored with the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. In 1964, Jaspers received the "Pour le Mérite" peace class medal. He became a Swiss citizen in 1967. His work already includes over 30 books with around 12,000 printed pages, a legacy of 35,000 sheets with several thousand letters.
In the same year he met the renowned sociologist Max Weber, who influenced his thinking. In 1910 Jaspers married the neurologist Gertrud Mayer. Jaspers studied the works of the philosophers Edmund Husserl and Wilhelm Dilthey in detail. In 1913 he received his habilitation as a professor. The title of his habilitation thesis was "General Psychopathology," which provides a methodological overview of this field. In the same year he began working as a private lecturer at Heidelberg University. Jaspers dedicated himself to the psychological analysis and interpretation of philosophical views.
In 1919 his second major work, entitled "Psychology of World Views," was edited. It is about the study of philosophy against the background of science. In the same year he met another great existential philosopher, Martin Heidegger. The contact developed into a friendly relationship. In 1922 Jaspers received a position as a full professor at the University of Heidelberg. Among his students is the philosopher Hanna Arendt. In 1931 his work "The Intellectual Situation of Our Time" was published. In it he counters the judgment that science is the origin of truth. The following year, his major work "Philosophy" was published in three volumes. In it, Jaspers deals with the fundamental concerns of his existential philosophy.
In 1933, the year the National Socialists came to power, Jaspers was excluded from the university administration and forced into retirement. In 1943 he was banned from publishing by the Nazi regime. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, Jaspers took part in the establishment of Heidelberg University. He founded the magazine "Die Wandlung", which aimed to achieve intellectual and moral innovation. In 1947 the first volume of Jasper's work "On Truth" on philosophical logic was published. In the post-war period he criticized the behavior of the Germans during Nazi rule and also in the period after the war in various writings. On the other hand, Jaspers received criticism for this. As a consequence, he left Heidelberg and settled in Basel.
He taught there at the university from 1948. Karl Jaspers saw it as a duty and responsibility to speak out on political issues. He justified the interference with the combination of philosophy and politics against the background of human freedom. Throughout his life, Jaspers gave his opinion on political matters, particularly those of Germany. But he also commented publicly on questions relating to the German scientific community. Jasper's interventions repeatedly gave rise to criticism. In 1957 Jasper's first volume on the world history of philosophy was published under the title "The Great Philosophers". In it he divides the history of philosophy into three main areas and denies it as a progressive process.
The following year, the philosopher was honored with the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. In 1964, Jaspers received the "Pour le Mérite" peace class medal. He became a Swiss citizen in 1967. His work already includes over 30 books with around 12,000 printed pages, a legacy of 35,000 sheets with several thousand letters.