The ethos of humanity in Karl Jaspers' political philosophy

Abstract

The crucial thesis of all the existential thinking of Jaspers is the idea that self-realisation as Existenz is possible only under two conditions: the experience of boundary situations and (or) of existential communication. In his principal works on Existentialism (the books: Psychology of WorMViews and Philosophy, especially the 2nd volume: Existential Elucidation), Jaspers gives some excellent descriptions of common inadequate reactions to boundary situations and interpersonal relations. In these descriptions the valuable experience of his former professions as a psychiatrist and a psychologist becomes evident. In the context of his psychological and phenomenological analyses of specific reactions to boundary situations and interpersonal relations, Jaspers also mentions a number of moral attitudes, which in his opinion are basic for all adequate reactions to boundary situations and intimate personal relationships. These moral attitudes can be interpreted as necessary (but not sufficient) conditions of existential self-realisation. They are highly significant for Jaspers' own concept of man and his ideal of humanity. He does not postulate these attitudes as explicit moral norms or general ethical rules, but he only wants to encourage them by his existential philosophy. His intention is to appeal to every individual in an indirect way to accept them in his (or her) own life and own personal relations.