Philosophical Faith and the Future of Humanity

by Wautischer, Helmut; Olson, Alan M.; Walters, Gregory J.

• ISBN13: 9789400722224
• ISBN10: 9400722222
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-01-02
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Interpretation of Karl Jaspers'¬" conceptions of philosophical faith, his philosophy of communication, and the prospects of world philosophy in the future: (I) Unpublished materials from the works of Karl Jaspers, testimonies to his life and career by colleagues, associates, and translators. (II) Focus on the origins of the concept of philosophical faith, assessment of Jaspers'¬" understanding of Kant, Hegel, Schelling, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Rosenzweig, relationship with Bultmann and Heidegger. Jaspers'¬" philosophy of religion, philosophy of history, the axial age (Achsenzeit) hypothesis, metaphysics, periechontology, and economics. (III) Philosophy of communication and world philosophy. Jaspers called for de-centering philosophy from its Euro-centric history, for sustained dialogue with other traditions, especially Asia. Freiheitsphilosophie and concerns regarding future of humanity account for growing popularity in Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central/South America, and East/South Asia. Trained and working as a psychiatrist, Jaspers had a keen insight into philosophical matters as he challenged the philosophical establishment of his time. This collection of essays contains unpublished material from the works of Karl Jaspers summarizing his principles of philosophizing, as well as testimonies to his life and career by colleagues, associates, and translators, some of whom had known Jaspers personally, while many others have devoted their long-standing academic scholarship to research and interpretation of Jaspers' work. The book contains lucid clarifications of the difference between religious and philosophical faith and the relevance of certainty, trust, and communication for a future of mankind. Jaspers called for de-centering philosophy from its Eurocentric history and for sustained dialogue with other traditions. At the core of such dialogue is the individual who comes to self-realization only in communication with the other.