Abstract

Karl Jaspers regarded Kant as one of the biggest thinkers in the history of world philosophy. His own philosophy was deeply influenced by that thought. The present paper tries to illustrate which kantian notions were adopted by Jaspers inside his philosophy and refashioned in order to suit his existentialistic approach. The first part analyses how Jaspers conceived the critical use of the reason as properly human faculty, forcing it toward a practical and existential meaning. The second part investigates Jaspers’ interpretation of Kants’ political thought with particular reference to his famous treatise on the perpetual peace. Following through Jaspers’ commentary to the text, three main themes are highlighted: Kant’s not utopian approach towards politics; the practical certainty of ethical ideas like liberty and progress; the strong component of faith – particularly the confidence in the human being and in the appellative and transformative power of his reason – held by Kant’s philosophy. What ensues is a dramatic and stimulating understanding of Kant’s political thought, still offering intellectual hints to the man living in our XXIst century time.