Karl Jaspers

Date of Birth: February 23, 1883

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: February 26, 1969

Biography

Karl Theodor Jaspers was a German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher who had a significant impact on modern theology, psychiatry, and philosophy. Born on February 23, 1883, in Oldenburg, Germany, Jaspers initially pursued a career in law before switching to medicine, where he specialized in psychiatry. His early work focused on clinical settings, and he became well-known for his book “General Psychopathology,” which has had a lasting influence on the field. Jaspers later transitioned to philosophy, where he explored existential themes and sought to understand the human condition. His philosophical work is characterized by a focus on existentialism, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. Jaspers was a contemporary of Martin Heidegger, and their intellectual interactions and disagreements were noteworthy. During the Nazi regime, Jaspers faced persecution due to his opposition to the regime and his marriage to a Jewish woman. After World War II, he became an influential figure in post-war German thought and contributed to the intellectual reconstruction of Germany. Jaspers moved to Basel, Switzerland, where he continued his academic work until his death on February 26, 1969.

5 Interesting Facts about Karl Jaspers

1. Karl Jaspers initially studied law before switching to medicine and psychiatry.

2. His work “General Psychopathology” is considered a foundational text in the field of modern psychiatry.

3. Jaspers was a vocal critic of the Nazi regime and faced professional and personal persecution during their rule.

4. He is known for his contributions to existential philosophy, particularly his concepts of “limit situations” and “Existenz.”

5. Jaspers was a contemporary and intellectual rival of Martin Heidegger, with whom he had significant philosophical disagreements.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Karl Jaspers

1. “Man is always more than what he knows about himself.”

2. “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”

3. “Philosophy is not a science. It is, however, a systematic and critical attempt to know and understand the world and our place within it.”

4. “To decide to become a philosopher seemed as foolish to me as to decide to become a poet.”

5. “What is meaningful cannot be proved or disproved by science.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Karl Jaspers was primarily an academic and philosopher, and there is no record of him achieving significant net worth. His contributions were more intellectual and academic rather than financial.