Date of Award

1-1-1973

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Philosophy & Religion

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to clarify the meaning of communication in the existential philosophy of Karl Jaspers. The study also attempted to relate communication to the process of existential counseling.The study began with an introduction to existential philosophy in order to place Jaspers’ writings in the perspective of the existential movement. A biographical sketch of Karl Jaspers was also presented, as well as an overview of his philosophical method.Next, the concepts of Existenz, history, and freedom were developed as preconditions to existential communication.Then the concept of communication was considered. The problem of communication towered over Jaspers’ philosophical concepts because he felt strongly that the future of mankind would depend on its solution. Communication was seen as a process in which man comes to himself only in his relationship with another self. Communication was related to solitude, self-elucidation and the struggle for truth. It was also considered in the content of existence and developed as a ceaseless process of human interaction.Four types of deficiencies of communication were presented: indefinite experiences of default, silence, indignity, and loneliness. The rupture of communication was described and several forms of communication breakdown were identified. The philosophical assumptions underlying the process of existential counseling were reviewed and an overview of this process was presented. Finally, the implications of Jaspers’ concept of communication for existential counseling were drawn.

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