Suzanne Kirkbright Livres

Throughout his life, German philosopher Karl Jaspers (1883-1969) recorded his experiences and reflections in diaries and correspondence. This comprehensive biography is the first to explore these extensive and candid private writings that illuminate not only Jaspers’ life and relationships but also the ideas he proposed in Way to Wisdom, The Question of German Guilt, and many other published works. Suzanne Kirkbright provides a sensitive and intimate portrait of the philosopher whose work on truth, personal integrity, and the capacity for communication contrasted acutely with the erosion of such values in Germany in his lifetime. She describes how Jaspers’ Jewish wife, Gertrud, influenced his thinking, the loss in 1937 of his professorship at Heidelberg University, and his relationship with such celebrated colleagues as Martin Heidegger and Hannah Arendt. Kirkbright examines the unshakeable ethical content of Jaspers’ philosophy and demonstrates his unique and scrupulous personal adherence to the philosophical principles he espoused.

Modern cosmopolitans are dedicated explorers seeking knowledge of diverse world cultures, acting as translators to enhance cross-cultural understanding. Identified as "world citizens," these cosmopolitans are often city-dwellers whose lives align with the rise of modern metropolises. This exploration of cosmopolitanism presents profiles of authors and intellectuals who have significantly influenced German and Austrian literary culture on a global scale. Contributions include discussions on Kant's vision of "world peace" and Goethe's concept of "world literature." Key topics covered include the ironic cosmopolitanism of Heinrich Heine, the nationalist yet cosmopolitan perspectives of Heinrich von Kleist, and the Enlightenment ideals of J. E. Schlegel. The study also delves into the complexities of German-Jewish cosmopolitanism, examining figures like Marie Herzfeld and Siegfried Kracauer, alongside the role of translators in fostering cosmopolitan ideals. Other contributions explore the global reception of authors like Heinrich Böll and the postmodern interpretations of Botho Strauss. The text invites readers to reconsider the essence of cosmopolitanism and its evolution within literature and society. An index and author biographies provide additional context for the discussions presented.

This interdisciplinary study aims to understand the complex experience of what is an essentially German debate on a philosophical and literary motif. It suggests Karl Jaspers' Existenzerhellung as a distinctive way of thinking about borders and thresholds. The threshold analogy, in particular, lends itself to the analysis of German literature on border and border experience in the second half of the twentieth century.