Books

Leiden: Jan Maire, 1637. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 4to (191 x 146 mm). 78, [2], 413, [35] pp., woodcut printer's device on title, 3 section-titles, woodcut initials, numerous woodcut text diagrams and illustrations, errata, French and Dutch privilege on Kkk3-4. Bound in contemporary French calf, gilt-decorated spine with 5 raised bands and gilt lettering in first compartment, red-sprinkled edges, marbled pastedowns (leather rubbed and scratched, wear to extremities, corners bumped and scuffed, spine ends somewhat scuffed, short split to upper hinge near head of spine). Only little even browning and minor occasional spotting of text, a few small light dampstains to blank margins, lower outer corner of gatherings L to X somewhat gnawed (up to 7 mm from corner but well away form text), upper margin of leaf 3K3 verso trimmed just touching initial headline letter. Provenance: from the library of French journalist and publisher Frédéric Decazes de…

René Descartes' seminal work, "Discours de la méthode pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences plus La Dioptrique, Les Météores et La Géométrie qui sont des essais de cette Méthode," commonly known as "Discourse on the Method," represents a monumental shift in the approach towards scientific and philosophical inquiry. First published in 1637, it not only laid down the foundation for modern philosophy but also introduced a new methodological approach to science, emphasizing reason and observation over medieval traditions and Aristotelian scholasticism. This essay seeks to explore the core components and the overarching impact of Descartes' work, delineating its significance in the annals of Western thought. At the heart of "Discourse on the Method" is Descartes' advocacy for methodical skepticism— a revolutionary idea proposing doubt as a means to achieve certainty. The cogito, encapsulated by the famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), underscores the assertion that the act of thinking itself is the only undeniable proof of existence. This foundational belief paves the way for a new framework of knowledge, one built upon the indubitable truth of self-awareness. Complementing the philosophical underpinnings of his discourse, Descartes' essays— "La Dioptrique," "Les Météores," and "La Géométrie"—serve as practical applications of his method. In "La Dioptrique," he delves into the principles of optics, elucidating the laws of refraction and reflection through geometric analysis. This exploration not only advances the understanding of light and vision but also demonstrates the application of mathematical principles to physical phenomena, a novel approach at the time. Similarly, in "Les Météores," Descartes applies his method to the explanation of meteorological phenomena, eschewing Aristotelian explanations in favor of physical principles. This essay exemplifies his belief in the universality of physical laws and their ability to explain natural phenomena, a cornerstone of the modern scientific approach. Perhaps the most profound impact of Descartes' work is evidenced in "La Géométrie," where he introduces the Cartesian coordinate system. This innovation allows for the description of geometric figures through algebraic equations, fundamentally bridging the gap between algebra and geometry. The implications of this for the development of calculus and modern mathematics cannot be overstated, as it provided the tools necessary for the precise analysis of geometric space. The legacy of Descartes' "Discourse on the Method" and its accompanying essays extends far beyond their immediate contributions to mathematics and science. By championing reason as the primary source of knowledge and advocating for a systematic approach to inquiry, Descartes laid the groundwork for the Enlightenment and the eventual rise of the scientific method. His work symbolizes the transition from medieval to modern thought, emphasizing the power of the human mind to understand and shape the world.

The first edition of Descartes' work, published in Leiden, can be identified by the title page, which bears the imprint of Jan Maire and the date 1637.