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Single Idea 20324

[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions ]

Full Idea

I become free by incessantly broadening my worldly orientation, by limitlessly visualising premises and possibilities of action, and by allowing all motives to speak to me. ...The more the totality determines my vision the freer I know I am.

Gist of Idea

My freedom increases as I broaden my vision of possiblities and motives

Source

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

Book Ref

'Existentialism', ed/tr. Solomon,Robert C. [Modern Library 1974], p.153


A Reaction

This matches my naturalistic view of responsibility for actions, which are those performed by the 'full' and knowing self. I note that freedom comes in degrees for him, so he presumably don't believe in absolute freedom. It is wholly subjective.

Related Idea

Idea 20323 Freedom needs knowledge, the possibility of arbitrariness, and law [Jaspers]


The 11 ideas from 'Philosophy'

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]