Självet som kärlekshandling : Om självets och identitetens problem i Karl Jaspers' Von der Wahrheit

In this essay I try to put Jaspers philosophy of love in dialogue with some of the leading approaches of personal identity. I start briefly with the pre-Socratics Parmenides and Heraclitus. I then introduce some leading identity theories within the analytical tradition and finally the narrative identity theory with Paul Ricoeur at the forefront. In section 2.1, I analyse the basic concept of Umgreifende and its relation to, among others, Kant and Kierkegaard. Knowledge and objectification of personal identity are seen as major problems in identity theories and contrasted with Jaspers’ idea of ​​identity as Existenz. In section 2.2 I analyse Jaspers’ view on action and freedom. Love appears as the cornerstone for Jaspers’ philosophy in general and Existenz in particular. I link Jasper's concept of love to Augustine and at the same time show the differences between the two. In section 2.3, I analyse Jaspers’ view on communication and action which he thinks is the only way for the self to appear and become phenomenal. The world is proving to have a key role as a medium that enables communication. In section 2.4, I clarify Jaspers view on the role of language in intersubjective communication and the possibilities of hermeneutics. The essay concludes with a brief summary