Odmiany rozumu ludzkiego według Emila Ciorana
Types on human reason according to Emil Cioran

Summary/Abstract: Scattered remarks on different types of reason can be found in Emil Cioran’s books. In the here presented essay it was shown that all the distinguished varieties of reason are connected to each other and it is possible to talk about emerging of another type from the previous one. These types are: naïve reason, rationalistic reason, negating reason, doubtful reason and expanded reason. Naïve reason is the one that serves life without self-consciousness. Rationalistic reason makes decrees on reality. In his critical remarks Cioran describes rationalistic reason as being dangerous.Two other types of reason are the negating and the doubtful one. Cioran proves that affirmation leads human beings to giving up themselves and that liberation always comes through constant fight for negation. Negating reason is always turned towards something external to itself. Doubtful reason goes much further by actually turning against itself, it is in constant struggle against itself. Cioran describes this process as separating the reason and standing face to face with yourself. Therefore he is aware that only the reason itself can become a judge of reason. The fifth type of reason which can be distinguished in Cioran’s philosophy might be called the extended reason as it is a demand for unfolding the reason. When one realizes that there is nothing permanent in the world and cognition can’t bring any permanent results either, the reason according to Cioran might become active again by turning back towards reality – however without any further dogma of objective truth – and by using “flowing” ideas it can unite with reality.

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