Books

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 and were not uncontroversial. 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 favor 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). Rebound to style in full paneled calf, red morocco spine label, raised bands and spine ends ruled and tooled in blind. Complete with the final blank 2E4. Ink ownership signature of one Thomas Lloyd at top of title page and following p. i, the upper margin of the former excised (not affecting lettering but shaving the printed rules), with resultant browning to the upper margin of the latter. Handsomely bound, contents browned, occasionally spotted, title leaf chipped at lower outer corner, a few ink marginal marks (crosses, lines), small tear at the 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.