Abstract
In Die Schuldfrage (The Question of German Guilt), Jaspers sketches out a concept of metaphysical guilt that is fundamental to every other concept of guilt. Guilt is one of the constituents of human existence.
Metaphysical guilt had emerged in such a limit situation when one was a witness to murder but was unable to help the victim. The survivor must live with inner shame because of a missing manifestation of solidarity for the affected person.
We could find a similar approach developed in Levinas' ethics of responsibility that seems even more demanding. Levinas suggests the reader comprehend the conscience of guilt not primarily as a result of the freedom to act or to refrain from acting.
Culpability is already part of an infinite and incalculable responsibility for the other. One cannot stay indifferent to the suffering of the mortal being.
The paper points out the role of unconditional culpability and responsibility in Jaspers' and Levinas' thinking and shows a refusal of self-justification as its intersection.