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Single Idea 20318

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 1. Existentialism ]

Full Idea

Philosophising, not knowing, brings me to myself. The helplessness to which philosophising reduces me when I doubt its origin is an expressions of the helplessness of my self-being, and the reality of philosophising is the incipient upsurge of that being.

Gist of Idea

My helplessness in philosophising reveals my being, and begins its upsurge

Source

Karl Jaspers (Philosophy [1932], vol.2)

Book Ref

'Existentialism', ed/tr. Solomon,Robert C. [Modern Library 1974], p.139


A Reaction

I like the sound of 'philosophy as a way of life', and loosely aspire to it, but I'm still not sure what it means, other than a good way to pass the time. The idea that it leads to higher modes of being sounds a bit arrogant. But it is a good thing!

Related Idea

Idea 20315 'Existenz' is the potential being, which I could have, and ought to have [Jaspers]


The 11 ideas from Karl Jaspers

Truth is what unites, and the profound truths create a community [Jaspers]
'Existenz' is the potential being, which I could have, and ought to have [Jaspers]
Freedom needs knowledge, the possibility of arbitrariness, and law [Jaspers]
I am aware that freedom is possible, and the freedom is not in theory, but in seeking freedom [Jaspers]
My freedom increases as I broaden my vision of possiblities and motives [Jaspers]
My helplessness in philosophising reveals my being, and begins its upsurge [Jaspers]
The struggle for Existenz is between people who are equals, and are utterly honest [Jaspers]
Once we grasp freedom 'from' things, then freedom 'for' things becomes urgent [Jaspers]
Mundane existence is general, falling under universals, but Existens is unique to individuals [Jaspers]
Every decision I make moves towards or away from fulfilled Existenz [Jaspers]
We want the correct grasp on being that is neither solipsism nor absorption in the crowd [Jaspers]