From Moral Existence to Transcendent Being
Communication, Love, and Freedom in Karl Jaspers
Keywords:
Moral Philosophy, Existentialism, Communication, Freedom, Love, Transcendence, Karl JaspersAbstract
This study aims to examine the moral philosophy of Karl Jaspers a prominent figure in existentialist thought whose literary output spans more than sixty books and has influenced numerous scientific fields. Jaspers holds a significant place not only within the history of philosophy but also in the broader understanding of the fundamental issues of moral philosophy. Drawing upon his primary works, this study seeks to elucidate the core concepts of his moral thought. Specifically, it explores Jaspers’s moral philosophy through the key themes of Transcendent Being, communication, love, and freedom. According to Jaspers, an individual can attain their true essence only through communication with others. In this sense, the moral unity that beings share grounded in faith is realized precisely through their interconnectedness and communication. Here, communication is understood not merely as the transmission of information, but as an encounter rooted in love and a process of mutual openness. Furthermore, for Jaspers, freedom is the most essential element that constitutes a true individual, as it is directly linked to choices that entail moral responsibility. Indeed, the true equality of human beings lies in the fact that everyone possesses the freedom to reach the Transcendent Being that is, God through their own individual moral experience. In this light, Jaspers’s moral philosophy offers a holistic perspective that centers on human freedom, moral responsibility, and communication with others based on love.
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