This paper explores the concept of delirium and its pivotal role in María Zambrano's philosophy. I argue that Zambrano attempts a re-evaluation of the categories of reason and delirium, so as to expose the limitations of Cartesian reason and propose poetic reason. The relationship between delirium and reality as well as delirium and madness is analysed and reveals that, for Zambrano, the function of delirium is to enable to liberation of the individual. In fact, this analysis concludes that delirium is the pre-requisite of freedom. Finally, I suggest that the potential for self-development and liberation which are inherent to poetic reason is rooted in the experience of delirium, because delirium is a necessary step to each awakening, that is, to each process of greater awareness and personal expansion.

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Beatriz Caballero completed her first degree in the Universidad de Málaga, and then did her teaching training at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. In 2000, she moved to the University of Stirling where she taught for five years Spanish language, culture, and history, while completing an MSc in Translation at the University of Edinburgh. She taught at Lancaster University in 2005-2006 while completing her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, where she is currently employed part-time. The focus of her research interestsis modern history of ideas, with particular emphasis on the dichotomy of materiality and spirituality. She is particularly interested in the concept of reason, and the framework of rationality within the context of neo-Marxism, Critical Theory andthe Frankfurt School.