Books

First edition of Kant's second major critical treatise, a key source for his ethical philosophy and the concept of the categorical imperative. As one of the main theoretical sources for deontological ethics, Kant's second Critik exerted an enormous influence on modern ethical philosophy. "No other thinker has been able to hold with such firmness the balance between speculative and empirical ideas. His penetrating analysis of the elements involved in synthesis, and the subjective process by which these elements are realized in the individual consciousness, demonstrated the operation of 'pure reason'; and the simplicity and cogency of his arguments achieved immediate fame" (PMM). A second edition followed in 1791. Octavo (202 x 118 mm). Contemporary sprinkled paper, spine ruled in gilt and with orange paper label, edges red. Woodcut vignette to title page and headpiece. Very light bumping and rubbing, slight toning to spine, minor foxing to endpapers and outer leaves: a very good copy. Adickes 67; Printing and the Mind of Man 226 (ref); Warda 112.

Critik der practischen Vernunft, or 'Critique of Practical Reason,' is one of Immanuel Kant's major works in moral philosophy. Published in 1788, this book continues Kant's critical philosophy providing further elaboration on the ideas initially exposed in his Critique of Pure Reason.