The Principle of Reason, the text of an important and influential lecture course that Martin Heidegger gave in 1955-56, takes as its focal point Leibniz's principle: nothing is without reason. Heidegger shows here that the principle of reason is in fact a principle of being. Much of his discussion is aimed at bringing his readers to the "leap of thinking," which enables them to grasp the principle of reason as a principle of being. This text presents Heidegger's most extensive reflection on the notion of history and its essence, the Geschick of being, which is considered on of the most important developments in Heidegger's later thought. One of Heidegger's most artfully composed texts, it also contains important discussions of language, translation, reason, objectivity, and technology as well as remarkable readings of Leibniz, Kant, Aristotle, and Goethe, among others.

Presents the principle of reason as a principle of being

About the Author

Reginald Lilly is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Skidmore College and editor of The Ancients and the Moderns.

Reviews

Starting from Leibniz's principle of sufficient reason . . . , Heidegger reflects on the relation of modern and ancient philosophy and of poetry and thinking. . . . an accurate and readable English translation.

* Choice *

Recreates the intellectual footwork necessary for Heidegger's leap from the terra cognita of modernity into the existential questions of the age of technology.

-- Michael Heim



Book Information
ISBN 9780253210661
Author Martin Heidegger
Format Paperback
Page Count 148
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press