Books

Octavo; collates: 207, [1, colophon]; complete (this copy bound without the 16 pages of publisher's ads found in some copies). A handsome Very Good+ copy in the publisher's original bindstamped purple cloth with orange-coated end papers. Dampstain affecting the fore-edge of the front and rear boards, text leaves unaffected. Minor wear at the spine ends. Internal contents generally clean with the odd smudge or turned corner. Housed in a quarter-leather custom clamshell case. An extremely influential work in political philosophy and the foundation for all branches of liberalism. The author argues that "over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." An extension of which is the harm principle, first outlined in this work: "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." One conclusion of this argument is that people should have the freedom to pursue their interests, even if damaging to themselves morally or physically, as long as they are not harming others. While these concepts are quite commonplace within democracy today, they were radical in their day, breaking new ground in political theory. PMM 345. Very Good +.