Sources of Philosophy - by K Jaspers

Professor K Jaspers discusses the Sources of Philosophy in Chapter 2 of his book Way to Wisdom.

The mind map below attempts to present some key ideas on the Sources of Philosophy:

The idea of the Comprehensive - by Karl Jaspers

The idea of the Comprehensive is explored in Chapter 3 of Prof. K Jaspers' book Way to Wisdom.

Mind maps on the main ideas of the Comprehensive can be found below:

What are the problems of understanding things as objects?

1. The Problem of Understanding Things as Objects:

   - Jaspers questioned the limitations inherent in viewing everything as mere objects.

   - When we reduce phenomena solely to objects, we risk overlooking their profound significance and inter-connectedness.

   - The challenge lies in recognising that reality transcends mere objectification.

   - Being—that which exists—cannot be neatly categorised as either subject or object.

   - Jaspers proposed a more nuanced approach—one that acknowledges the limitations of the subject-object divide.

2. The Comprehensive:

   - Jaspers introduced the concept of the Comprehensive (or pereichontology).

   - Instead of directly approaching Being (existence), he advocated for an indirect method.

   - The Comprehensive illuminates the sphere within which Being becomes present to us.

   - It acknowledges the subject-object dichotomy but also reveals its limits.

   - Within this framework, Being emerges neither purely as subject nor as object; it defies such categorisation.

   - Jaspers invites us to explore the mystery that lies beyond mere objectification.

   - In doing so, we open ourselves to a richer understanding—one that transcends rigid boundaries.

In summary, Jaspers' philosophy encourages us to move beyond simplistic objectification, recognising that Being reveals itself within the intricate dance of subjectivity and objectivity. 

¹: Fritz Buri, "Jaspers' Philosophy of Existence as a Model for Theological Reflection," *Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche* (November 1964), 361–362.

²: Fritz Buri, *How Can We Still Speak Responsibly of God* (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1968), pp. 7–9, 17–18.

³: *Jaspers' Philosophy of Existence*, Springer, [link](https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/bf00140283.pdf)

Source: Conversation with Bing, 11/03/2024

(1) JASPERS' PHILOSOPHY OF EXISTENCE - Springer. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/bf00140283.pdf.

(2) The Subject-Object Dichotomy - Douglas Lockhart. http://www.douglaslockhart.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Subject-Object-Dichotomy.pdf.

(3) The Subject-Object Division in Jaspers, Schopenhauer, and ... - Existenz. https://existenz.us/volumes/Vol.13-1Knauss.pdf.

(4) “The Last Kantian”: Outlines of Karl Jaspers’s ... - Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-44571-3_13.

The Dao De Jing

Chapter 1 of Dao De Jing may help to explain the idea of the Comprehensive:

The Dao that can be told, is not the eternal Dao.

The name that can be named, is not the eternal name.

The unnameable is the eternally real.  

Naming is the origin of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery; caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations, arise from the same source. 

This source is called darkness. 

Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.

Fact and Truth

Are Facts and Truth are the same.  What do you think? 

The following is an answer from Bing.

Can some facts be not true, and vice versa, in philosophy?

Certainly! In philosophy, the distinction between facts and truths is nuanced and thought-provoking. Let's delve into it:

1. Facts:

   - Facts are like musical notes on a sheet. They are concrete, objective realities that cannot be logically disputed or rejected.

   - For instance, if I say "fire is hot," regardless of your reasoning skills, touching fire will indeed burn your skin. This is a fact — a reality that remains unchanged.

   - Facts are not discovered or created; they are simply acknowledged.

   - However, facts can be context-dependent. For example, the transfer of heat through conduction differs from training one's body to tolerate pain.

   - In summary, facts are rigid and resistant to reasoning.

2. Truths:

   - Truths, on the other hand, are more fluid and malleable.

   - They require discovery or creation. When we say "God exists," it's a truth that depends on our reasoning and perspective.

   - If someone else possesses strong reasoning against God's existence, their belief becomes an equally valid reality.

   - Unlike facts, truths are not fixed; they evolve based on reasoning, interpretation, and individual perspectives.

   - Think of truths as the heartfelt lyrics a singer shares when she opens up and sings from her heart.

In everyday conversation, we often use these terms interchangeably, but in philosophy, they carry distinct meanings. Facts are like solid notes, while truths are the melodies we weave through interpretation and reasoning¹². 🎵🤔

Source: Conversation with Bing, 03/03/2024

(1) logic - What is the difference between Fact and Truth? - Philosophy .... https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/8053/what-is-the-difference-between-fact-and-truth.

(2) What does Nietzsche mean by "there are no facts, only interpretations"?. https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/7303/what-does-nietzsche-mean-by-there-are-no-facts-only-interpretations.

(3) 5.1 Philosophical Methods for Discovering Truth - OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-philosophy/pages/5-1-philosophical-methods-for-discovering-truth.

Can you think of some examples where facts are not truth, or truth that are not facts?

Some Questions on Jaspers' "What is Philosophy?"

Do you agree with the answers from Bing to the following questions?

What is the Primal Source according to Karl Jaspers?

According to Karl Jaspers, the primal source is the innermost core of human existence, where one can find the ultimate meaning and truth of one's being. It is the source of philosophy, which is the decision to awaken, explore, and express this primal source. Jaspers writes: "Philosophy is the decision to awaken our primal source, to find our way back to ourselves, and to help ourselves by inner action."¹ The primal source is not a fixed or static essence, but a dynamic and creative potential that can be actualized in different ways. Jaspers calls these ways the modes of the primal source, which include the modes of being, of consciousness, of spirit, and of communication. The primal source is also the basis of transcendence, which is the experience of going beyond the limits of empirical reality and encountering the encompassing, the absolute, or the divine.²

¹: [Karl Jaspers : The Philosophical Life]

²: [2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic]

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024

(1) Karl Jaspers | German Existential Philosopher & Psychologist. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Jaspers.

(2) CHAPTER ONE - Columbia University. http://www.columbia.edu/itc/religion/f2001/docs/axial_age.html.

(3) Karl Jaspers : The Philosophical Life. https://www.anthologialitt.com/post/karljaspers-thephilosophicallife.

(4) 2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic. https://bing.com/search?q=Primal+source+according+to+Karl+Jaspers.

(5) 2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/13846/chapter/167531187.

What does Karl Jaspers mean when he said the aim of philosophy is to find reality in the primal source?

Karl Jaspers said that the aim of philosophy is to find reality in the primal source, which is the innermost core of human existence, where one can find the ultimate meaning and truth of one's being. He believes that personal experience is one's fundamental source of truth about reality, and that philosophy is the decision to awaken, explore, and express this primal source. He also thinks that the primal source is the basis of transcendence, which is the experience of going beyond the limits of empirical reality and encountering the encompassing, the absolute, or the divine. ¹²

¹: [2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic](^1^)

²: [Karl Jaspers' Philosophy of Existence (Chapter 2) - Death ...](^2^)

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024

(1) 2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/13846/chapter/167531187.

(2) Karl Jaspers' Philosophy of Existence (Chapter 2) - Death .... https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/death-deathlessness-and-existenz-in-karl-jaspers-philosophy/karl-jaspers-philosophy-of-existence/30BC8AFC81B132DA809BB24BC77FCE07.

(3) 2 Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy of Existence - Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/13846/chapter/167531187.

(4) Karl Jaspers' Philosophy of Existence (Chapter 2) - Death .... https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/death-deathlessness-and-existenz-in-karl-jaspers-philosophy/karl-jaspers-philosophy-of-existence/30BC8AFC81B132DA809BB24BC77FCE07.

(5) Karl Jaspers - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Jaspers.

(6) undefined. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9780748625352.003.0003.

What is the Comprehensive and the Encompassing according to Karl Jaspers?

According to Karl Jaspers, the Comprehensive and the Encompassing are two key concepts in his philosophy of existence. The Comprehensive is the totality of all the objects and phenomena that we can experience and know through our senses and reason. It includes the natural world, the human world, and the cultural world. 

The Encompassing is the ultimate source and ground of all being and meaning, which transcends the Comprehensive and cannot be grasped by our ordinary cognition. It is the realm of the absolute, the divine, and the transcendent. Jaspers argues that we can only approach the Encompassing through indirect and symbolic ways, such as faith, love, communication, and philosophy. The Encompassing always announces itself in the Comprehensive, but it never becomes an object of knowledge. ¹²³

¹: [Karl Jaspers on The Encompassing (1949) - YouTube]

²: [Thinking from the Origin: Critical and Personal Remarks on Jaspers ...]

³: [On the Being of the Encompassing - Mortal Immortals]

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024

(1) Karl Jaspers on The Encompassing (1949) - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hFOz2WrIKk.

(2) Thinking from the Origin: Critical and Personal Remarks on Jaspers .... https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-007-2223-1_14.pdf.

(3) On the Being of the Encompassing - Mortal Immortals. https://mortalimmortals.com/on-the-being-of-the-encompassing/.

(4) Karl Jaspers on The Encompassing (1949) - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hFOz2WrIKk.

(5) Thinking from the Origin: Critical and Personal Remarks on Jaspers .... https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-007-2223-1_14.pdf.

(6) On the Being of the Encompassing - Mortal Immortals. https://mortalimmortals.com/on-the-being-of-the-encompassing/.

(7) Karl Jaspers - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Jaspers.

What is reality?

Reality is a complex and contested concept that has different meanings and implications in different fields and perspectives. In general, reality is the totality of all things, structures, events, and phenomena that exist independently of human minds¹. However, some philosophers and scientists argue that reality is also influenced by human perception, interpretation, and construction². Therefore, reality may not be the same for everyone, and it may not be fully knowable or objective. Reality is one of the most profound and enduring questions in philosophy and human inquiry. 

¹: [Reality - Wikipedia]
²: [“Reality” is constructed by your brain. Here’s what that means, and why it matters. | Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute]

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024
(1) Reality - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality.
(2) “Reality” is constructed by your brain. Here’s what that means, and why .... https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/reality-constructed-your-brain-here-s-what-means-and-why-it-matters.

What are facts in philosophy?

In philosophy, the concept of a fact is closely tied to questions of objectivity, truth, and reality. Let's explore a few perspectives on what a fact is:

1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP): The SEP entry on Facts delves into various aspects of this topic. It discusses how facts relate to propositions and the totality of circumstances. You can find more detailed information there¹.

2. Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus: Ludwig Wittgenstein, in his work, begins with the statement: "The world is all that is the case." He defines a fact as a **real circumstance (or "Tatsache" in German) determined by the totality of facts. Essentially, a fact corresponds to a situation that exists¹.

3. General Definition: In a broader sense, a fact can be defined as something that is the case, representing the state of affairs reported by a true proposition².

Remember that the understanding of facts can vary across different philosophical schools, and this topic remains open to interpretation and debate.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 03/03/2024

(1) metaphysics - What is a fact? - Philosophy Stack Exchange. https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/29262/what-is-a-fact.

(2) Fact - New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Fact.

(3) Fact (philosophy) - AcademiaLab. https://academia-lab.com/encyclopedia/fact-philosophy/.

(4) Fact - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact.

(5) The Fact/Opinion Distinction - The Philosophers' Magazine. https://www.philosophersmag.com/essays/26-the-fact-opinion-distinction.

(6) undefined. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/facts/.

What is Truth in philosophy?

Truth in philosophy is the property of statements, beliefs, or propositions that are said to agree with reality or to state what is the case. There are different theories and views of truth in philosophy, such as the correspondence theory, the coherence theory, the pragmatic theory, and the relativist theory. These theories try to answer questions such as: What are the criteria for truth? How can we know or discover truth? Are there different kinds or levels of truth? Is truth objective or subjective, absolute or relative, universal or particular? Truth is one of the most fundamental and important concepts in philosophy, as it is the basis of knowledge, logic, and rationality. ¹²

¹: [Truth | Definition, Importance, Theories, & Facts | Britannica]

²: [Truth - Wikipedia]

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024

(1) Truth | Definition, Importance, Theories, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/truth-philosophy-and-logic.

(2) Truth - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth.

When philosophers talk about seeking the Truth, what do they mean?

Philosophers are interested in finding out what is true and how we can know it. They use different methods and criteria to justify their claims to truth, such as logic, evidence, coherence, and experience. They also explore different aspects and domains of truth, such as physical, mathematical, moral, and historical truth. Philosophers seek the truth because they want to understand reality, knowledge, and rationality. ¹²³

¹: [Philosophy and the Search for Truth | Philosophia - Springer]

²: [Seven Approaches to Finding the Truth | Psychology Today]

³: [5.1: Philosophical Methods for Discovering Truth]

Source: Conversation with Bing, 26/02/2024

(1) Philosophy and the Search for Truth | Philosophia - Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11406-013-9426-5.

(2) Seven Approaches to Finding the Truth | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/202009/seven-approaches-finding-the-truth.

(3) 5.1: Philosophical Methods for Discovering Truth. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/Introduction_to_Philosophy_%28OpenStax%29/05%3A_Logic_and_Reasoning/5.01%3A_Philosophical_Methods_for_Discovering_Truth.

 

What is Philosophy?  

What is Philosophy? Meaning of Philosophy (30/1/18)

The video above, posted by PHILO-notes, gives a general introduction to Philosophy.

What is Philosophy? (11/3/20)

 https://youtu.be/JFfIQJsUFL4?si=wcG8yuBnBqjGEEc1

In the video above Professor Jeffrey Kaplan approaches the question of "What is Philosophy" from looking into questions that university students, who are interested in philosophy, might ask.

What Is Philosophy? Karl Jaspers

The first chapter of the book "Way to Wisdom" by Professor Karl Jaspers (23 February 1883 – 26 February 1969) attempts to address the question "What is Philosophy?". 

 A translation of the book can be found here and on the Internet Archive.

When reading Professor Jaspers' book, please replace the word "man" with "human" where appropriate.

On becoming wise

What are the philosophical questions that are important to you?

The following may be important or of interest to you:

• What should I do during my lifetime?
• What is the purpose of life? 
• What should I try to get from life?
• Why is life so terrible for me?
• Why should one do philosophy?
• How can I tell if something is true or false?
• How do I decide what is good and what is bad?
• How do I decide what or who is more believable?
• How do I live a good life?
• How can I be a good person?
• How can I be free?
• How can I be rich and happy?

These are examples of questions that philosophers might investigate.  These questions have no single correct answer.  If you are interested in questions like these, or what others might think, then I believe you are on your way to becoming a philosopher.

If you just want to know the Answer, then you need to listen to Leonard Cohen in this video the Tower of Song.  It's a lovely song. 😉😆