Reason and transition

Contrary to the current postmodern as well as rationalist dismissals of reason, the paper advocates a rethinking of reason. It demonstrates the necessity of reason with respect to structures of self-reflection; explicates the proper character of reason by analyzing processes of reciprocal interpretation; explains reason's tendency toward purity and moreover the consequences of the logical status of reason; criticizes the traditional understanding of reason; and clarifies the relationship between reason and rationality. Finally the proper character and effects of transversal reason - understood as reason in transitions - are explicated, and the relationship of transversal reason to reason in general is specified. - Transversal reason could provide a viable middle course between the traditional hypertrophy of reason and the current defeatism in matters of reason.