Abstract
Ladislav Hejdánek (1927-2020) is known as a thinker who strove to develop his concept of so-called non-objectifying thinking. But he is not an isolated author in this respect.
From amongst the world philosophers, Karl Jaspers (1883-1969) also explored a similar issue. Both were convinced that our thinking did not allow us to adequately thematize reality (or certain aspects of reality) and disproportionately objectified it.
The study attempts to, in outline, chart, contrast and critically assess these reflections. Jaspers' alternative to this objectifying thinking is given to be his concept of ciphers of transcendence, by which non-objectifiable reality is to be represented symbolically and without the use of concepts.
Hejdánek finds internal contradictions in Jaspers's conception and proposes his own alternative, which does not allow for the abandonment of thinking in concepts but for its development by working with non-objective intentions. The dispute between the two authors is understood as a dispute over the possibility of a future change in the way of thinking that has characterized the European tradition up until now.