Berkeley

1710 · 171378 — Dublin: printed by Aaron Rhames for Jeremy Pepyat 1710. A cornerstone of 18th-century philosophy First edition of the author's major work "the classic exposition of Berkeley's philosophy of immaterialism as an antidote to infidelity" ODNB in which he famously puts forward the idea that "no object can exist without a mind to conceive it". Part Two of the work was lost while still in manuscript form. Although Berkeley's works did not initially prompt much reaction they came to have a profound effect on the intellectual life of the later 18th century. The Treatise "set out his idealistic philosophy in detail arguing that the concept of 'material substance' is at once absurd and explanatorily useless. He pointed out that even philosophers who posit the existence of material bodies cannot explain how matter can produce ideas in the mind or how purely mental phenomena like ideas could resemble or correspond to non-mental material substances. Perhaps his most shocking claim in favour of his metaphysics was his oft-repeated contention that his principles were in strict accord with common sense and inimical to skepticism" Grattan-Guinness p. 122. Octavo 205 x 128 mm. Complete with the final blank 2E4. Rebound to style in full panelled calf red morocco spine label raised bands and spine ends ruled and tooled in blind. Ink ownership signature of one Thomas Lloyd on title page and p. i upper margin of the former excised not affecting lettering but shaving the printed rules. Contents browned and occasionally spotted title leaf chipped at lower outer corner a few ink marginal marks crosses lines small tear at upper outer corner of 2B4. Overall a very good copy. Keynes Berkeley 5; Norman 196; Printing and the Mind of Man 176. Ivor Grattan-Guinness Landmark Writings in Western Mathematics 1640-1940 2005. hardcover