Reason and Existenz by Karl Jaspers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Karl Jasper’s ‘Reason and Existenz’ is not for the philosophical faint of heart. Jaspers deeply explores his argument of the existence of “Existenz”. Launching from Hegel & Nietzsche and building to the importance of reason and “Existenz”, Jaspers constructs his reasoning for a humans ability to realize their existence. His romp into and around existential thought would trouble those that hold more faithful creation beliefs. To those that do not hold such beliefs, they might struggle a bit as Jaspers seems to rock in and out of beliefs in a “God”. Of course, this is Jaspers version of “God” and not the traditional view of God.

This book is a reworking of speeches Jaspers made in the 1930s. The first is well written, though gets denser and denser as it goes along. I should warn there’s a point where clarity suddenly shifts into the deeply complex which continues to the end.

The second continues the complexity and has the very best thoughts of the whole.

The third is very clear and best of the three as Jaspers makes his stand for the imperative need of reason.

In the notes section are some quite good nuggets to take in.

Bottom line: I recommend for those who love philosophy. Otherwise, it might be best to dive into a volume of Kauffman’s books of existentialism which includes Jaspers ideas. Then come to this book.

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