1883 – 1969
Karl Jaspers (1883–1969) was a German-Swiss psychiatrist and existentialist philosopher whose work bridges psychology, philosophy, and theology. He developed a distinctive 'existenz' philosophy centered on human freedom, boundary situations, and the encounter with Transcendence. His concept of the 'Axial Age' and his philosophical faith — distinct from confessional religion — became influential across theology, philosophy of religion, and political thought.
Developed the concept of Grenzsituationen (boundary situations) — death, suffering, struggle, guilt — as fundamental to authentic human existence
Formulated 'philosophical faith' as a non-dogmatic openness to Transcendence, distinct from institutional religion
Coined the concept of the 'Axial Age' (800–200 BCE) as a pivotal period of simultaneous spiritual breakthrough across civilizations
Pioneered existential psychopathology with General Psychopathology (1913), foundational to modern psychiatric methodology
Articulated the idea of 'the Encompassing' (das Umgreifende) as the ground of being beyond all objective knowledge