Overview

This book sets out a new reading of the much-neglected philosophy of Karl Jaspers. By questioning the common perception of Jaspers either as a proponent of irrationalist cultural philosophy or as an early, peripheral disciple of Martin Heidegger, it re-establishes him as a central figure in modern European philosophy. Giving particular consideration to his position in epistemological, metaphysical and political debate, the author argues that Jaspers's work deserves renewed consideration in a number of important discussions, particularly in hermeneutics, anthropological reflections on religion, the critique of idealism, and debates on the end of metaphysics. In addition, the author also provides an extensive treatment of Jaspers's reception of the philosophical perspectives of Kant, Hamann, Kierkegaard, Dilthey, Weber, Simmel, Heidegger, Lukacks and Arendt, and of the theological arguments of Barth, Gogarten, Bultmann and Tillich. On this basis, the book reconstructs a complex nexus of interdisciplinary discussions between theology and anthropology, politics and ethics, and epistemology and hermeneutics, arguing that Jaspers's reflections on each of these areas possess enduring significance. The book also addresses Jaspers's contributions to political debate at important junctures in modern German history, notably in the late-Weimar era and the period of restoration under Adenauer. This work will be of vital interest to students and academics working in modern European philosophy (especially existentialism, phenomenology and hermeneutics), German intellectual history, and twentieth-century theology.

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9780415269063

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Reviews

'Informative and highly readable ... fascinating.' - Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

... informative and higly readable...finely crafted work...fascinating.... <br>-Alan Olson, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews <br>

Author Information

Dr Chris Thornhill

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