The Principle of Reason (Studies in Continental Thought) [Paperback]

Martin Heidegger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0253210666 | ISBN-13: 978-0253210661

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lilly has ably translated a lecture course by Heidegger on Leibniz's principle of sufficient reason, which states that everything in the world has a rational explanation. Heidegger concentrates on placing the principle within his own complex account of the history of Being. He has little interest in the logical evaluation of the principle's validity in the style of analytic philosophy. Instead, he uses his customary method of probing the etymology of philosophical terms. Lilly pays close attention to every nuance of Heidegger's style and includes helpful discussions of key words and phrases. For admirers of Heidegger, the book is essential; for the curious, it provides a good look at how Heidegger philosophizes.
- David Gor don, Bowling Green State Univ., Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"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

(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

(Michael Heim )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (January 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253210666
• ISBN-13: 978-0253210661
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #930,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Exploration of the Scientific Ground of Modern Metaphysics, December 4, 2005

By 

Savigny (Red Hook, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Principle of Reason (Studies in Continental Thought) (Paperback)

This is an essential series of lectures to understand the importance of science and specifically of Leibniz's principle of sufficient reason in Heidegger's later thought. It provides the basis for any inquiry into technology which, in Heidegger's thought, is the latest development of scientific metaphysics. It is also the basis for recent studies of law like Roger Berkowitz's The Gift of Science: Leibniz and the Modern Legal Tradition.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not so bad..., June 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Principle of Reason (Studies in Continental Thought) (Paperback)

a pretty good exploration of heidegger's later thought, and it doesn't quite come from out of left field like "contributions"... a lot of the groundwork for this piece was laid previously but is a fairly concise statement on the grounding nature of reason, and his exegesis along the path on which the thinking of reason as a question of being brings together some elements not explicitly brought into play in the same space prior to this lecture series.

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars POR, April 15, 2007

By 

yangpu6 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Principle of Reason (Studies in Continental Thought) (Paperback)

I have purchased and read this book. In my opinion the very title was relished!: Why must there always be a reason for something? and on/in what grounds does the principle of reason lie? Indeed for anything whatsoever? "Why the why?" Cool subject for me! My 4 year old copy is dog-eared and scribbled on. Those who have purchased this book surely will agree when I say that there are a great many gleanings to be had from this digestible and erudite work. A very satisifying book.