more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
Without knowledge there is no freedom ....and without an arbitrary act there is no freedom, ....and there is no freedom without law.
Gist of Idea
Freedom needs knowledge, the possibility of arbitrariness, and law
Source
Karl Jaspers (Philosophy [1932], vol.2)
Book Ref
'Existentialism', ed/tr. Solomon,Robert C. [Modern Library 1974], p.151
A Reaction
He emphasises that an arbitrary act is not a free act, but it is a precondition for being free. The submission to law is active freedom. If you believe in education (and you should) you must believe that knowledge is liberating.
Related Idea
Idea 20324 My freedom increases as I broaden my vision of possiblities and motives [Jaspers]
| 20320 | Truth is what unites, and the profound truths create a community [Jaspers] |
| 20323 | Freedom needs knowledge, the possibility of arbitrariness, and law [Jaspers] |
| 20322 | I am aware that freedom is possible, and the freedom is not in theory, but in seeking freedom [Jaspers] |
| 20324 | My freedom increases as I broaden my vision of possiblities and motives [Jaspers] |
| 20321 | The struggle for Existenz is between people who are equals, and are utterly honest [Jaspers] |
| 20318 | My helplessness in philosophising reveals my being, and begins its upsurge [Jaspers] |
| 20325 | Once we grasp freedom 'from' things, then freedom 'for' things becomes urgent [Jaspers] |
| 20316 | Every decision I make moves towards or away from fulfilled Existenz [Jaspers] |
| 20315 | 'Existenz' is the potential being, which I could have, and ought to have [Jaspers] |
| 20317 | Mundane existence is general, falling under universals, but Existens is unique to individuals [Jaspers] |
| 20319 | We want the correct grasp on being that is neither solipsism nor absorption in the crowd [Jaspers] |