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Nürnberg, Endterus, 1642. 4to. In contemporary full vellum with yapp edges and gilt lettering to spine. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Binding with light soiling and miscolouring. Closed tear to upper margin of engraved half-title. Internally nice and clean. (102), 939 pp. + frontispiece. Rare first edition of Walther’s work on Mosaic law as outlined in the Pentateuch. Michael Walther (1593-1662) was a German theologian and scholar born in Nuremberg. Initially studying medicine in Wittenberg, he later shifted his focus to theology, continuing his studies in Giessen and Jena. He served as an adjunct at the philosophical faculty in Jena before becoming court preacher to Duchess Elisabeth of Braunschweig and a professor in Helmstedt. In 1626, Waltherus was appointed as the general superintendent in East Frisia, and in 1642, he assumed the same role in Celle, where he remained until his death on February 9, 1662. Waltherus was known for his work in Protestant Bible studies, approaching critical questions with a Lutheran orthodox perspective. Waltherus discussed canonical books, distinguishing between those with unquestionable apostolic authorship and those with some doubts, such as the Epistle to the Hebrews, the letters of James and Jude, and the Apocalypse. (See 'Deutsche Biographie')

Saint-Malo, L.H. Hovius, 1785. Small 4to. Near contemp. hcalf. Richly gilt spine, raised bands. Titlelabel with gilt lettering. Stamps on title-page. (4),385 pp., profusely textillustrated in woodcut with coastal profiles, harbours, maps etc. The first and last leaves with some brown-toning, otherwise clean with a few scattered brownspots.

London, Iohn Norton for Robert Bostock, 1639. 4to. In contemporary full calf. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Scratches to boards with a bit of loss to the leather. Upper part of spine with loss of leather. Internally fine and clean. (10), 223 pp. Rare second edition of Reynold’s meditations on the last supper. Edward Reynolds (1599-1676), English theologian and bishop. Reynolds was known for his theological writings, preaching, and involvement in the political and religious debates of his time. He served as the Bishop of Norwich from 1661 until his death. Reynolds was also one of the members of the Westminster Assembly, a gathering of theologians and churchmen tasked with reforming the Church of England during the English Civil War and Interregnum period. His works include sermons, theological treatises, and commentary on various biblical books.

Stockholm: P.-A. Norstedt & Fils, 1905. Large 8vo. (246x166mm). Original printed wrappers. First edition of Becquerel's Nobel Lecture."Becquerel attended a session of the 'Académie des Sciences' in Paris on 20 January 1896, when Jules Henri Poincaré exhibited a series of radiographs sent to him by Röntgen. He, like others, observed that the emission of X-rays from the cathode tube was accompanied by strong phosphorescence of the glass. He therefore suspected that other forms of induced phosphorescence might be accompanied by other hithero unknown rays. In February 1896 Charles Henry reported to the 'Académie' his discovery of that phosphorescence could be induced in certain substances by exposure to sunlight. In the same month Becquerel reported that uranium was among these substances. Like all his other early papers on the subject, this appeared in the 'Comptes rendus' and was entitled 'Sur les Radiations Invisibles' émises par les Corps Phosphorescents'. In a second paper, 'Sur quelques Propriétés Nouvelles des Radiations Invisibles', he reported the astonishing fact that uranium was capable of fogging photographic plates even without previous exposure to sunlight and when the plates themselves were completely protected from ordinary light. In a third paper, March 1896, 'Sur les Radiations invisbles émises par les d'Uranium' Becquerel discarded phosphorescence completely and declared that the emanations from uranium constituded an entirely new and unsuspected property of matter, which in his seventh paper he named 'radioactivité'. He also found that the uranium rays discharged a gold-leaf electroscope, which is still used as one method of detecting radio-activity.Becquerel also discovered that the residue of pitchblende, a natural uranium oxide, after the uranium had been extracted from it was about four times as radio-active as uranium itself. He therefore suggested to the Curies the importance of further investigations of the ore, with the result that they discovered radium. He continued to work on the subject until 1903, in which year he collaborated with Pierre Curie in a paper, 'Action Physiologique des Rayons du Radium', which is the starting-point of the treatment of disease by radio-active substances. In that year he also published ... ('Recherches sur une Propriété Nouvelle de la Matière' - the offered item) ... which is his definitive work, containing a chronological narrative of his investigations, his mature conclusions and a bibliography of two hundred and fourteen treatises on radio-activity, dating from his own first paper in 1896. The rays emitted by uranium were named in his honour 'Becquerel' rays. They were later discovered to be a composite of three forms of emanation, distinguished by Rutherford (in 1919) as alpha, beta and gamma rays and identified thus: alpha as helium nuclei, beta as electrons, and gamma as powerful X-rays." - (PMM).In 1903 Becquerel shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with the Curies "in recognition of the extraordinary services he has rendered by his discovery of spontaneous radioactivity".

(Bonn, 1729). 8vo. Very fine and wellpreserved cont.full red morocco, richly gilt back and covers. Edges gilt. 128 engraved lvs. - Throughout engraved with fine initials, decorations and vignettes.

(Paris, Mallet-Bachelier), 1860. 4to. No wrappers. In: "Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de L'Academie des Sciences", Tome 50, No 6 a. No 19, Tome 51, No 10 a. No 19. (4 entire issues offered). Pasteur's papers: pp. 303-307, 849-854 (tome 50), pp. 348-352, 675-678 (tome 51). First appearance of the suite of the 4 groundbreaking papers marking the downfall of the theory of spontaneous generation, and all of Pasteur's later work in this field can be seen as an extension, elaboration, and defence of the principles and methods set forth here. It is from these conclusions all modern bacteriology and immunology have developed. Pasteur was awarded the Zecker Price 1861 for these discoveries. "Pasteur's publications on the subject of spontaneous generation consists chiefly of communications to the Academy of Sciences in Paris and published in abstracts in the Comptes rendus... (the paper offered)... In these communication he dealt with the collection and demonstration of erms in the air, the origin of ferments, the distribution of germs in nature, and many other questions. These reports were finally expanded in his famous "Memoire sur les corpuscules organisés qui existent dans l'atmosphere. Examen de la doctrine de génerations spontanées", which was published in 1861. (Bullocdh "The History of Bacteriology", p. 96).Printing and the Mind of Man No, 336 (b) - Garrison & Morton No. 2474.

A Londres (but Paris), no printer, 1744. Small 8vo. Contemp. full mottled calf, raised bands, richly gilt back. Previous owners stamp on tp. Engraved portrait (Newton), engraved titlevignette, VIII,5-12,(1-)232,209-471,(4) pp. The text is complete and continous despite the odd pagination. Having 8 engraved plates (1 folding) and many textengravings. A few leaves with contemporary marginal notes. Internally fine and clean. Second or third edition, a contrefacon not printed in London, but in Paris. "Voltaires's importence for the history of science lies particularly in his having composed a famous popularization of Newton, Élemens de la philosophie de Nrwton (1738), while also collaborating with his companion and mistress, Émilie, marquise de Chatelet, on her translation of the Principia into French, and more generally in his having referred, with the lightness of touch that made him a serious critic of the human condition, his moral philosophy to what he took to be Newtonian, and hence a correct account of physical reality." (DSB XIV:p.83), The work has been called one of the most beautifull illustrated scientific works at all.- This edition not in Gray's Bibliography.

(København), 1819. Folio. (44 x 27 cm.). Original blue wrappers with some dampstains and rear somewhat soiled. With the engraved oval title on upper wrapper. In a later hcloth portfolio. With 19 (all) engraved maps, charts, plans, coastal profiles of which 7 are double-page. (Maps numbered in letters A-K, profiles numbered I-IX).The maps depicting the main harbours (with townplans) and anchorages. Maps with a few small marginal closed tears. Extremely scarce Danish edition, a compilation from Vicente Tofino's "Atlas Maritimo", where the sheets have Danish text. This maritime-atlas was probably intended to accompagny Løvenørn's "Beskrivelse til det voxende Kaart over Kysterne af Spanien og Portugal....", 1818.Bibl. Danica II, 362 a. 367. - Luisa Martín-Merás: Catálogo analítico de los Atlas del Museo Naval de Madrid, 2007". No 232.

(London, W. Bulmer and Co., 1816). 4to. 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1816 - Part I. Pp. 1-22 a. pp. 23-24 and 1 large folded engraved plate. showing details of the construction of the lamp. Clean and fine, wide-margined.. First description and the first announcement of the invention of the Mine Safety Lamp, the so-called "Davy-Lamp" together with his further remarks on the functioning of this lamp. The papers are miliestones of applied chemistry."In 1815 he (Davy) invented the Davy lamp, in which an open flame is surrounded by a cylinder of metallic gauze. Oxygen can get through the gauze and feed the flame. The heat of the flame, however, is dissipated by the metal and explosive gases outside the lamp and not ignited. For the first time, miners were reasonably safe from explosion. In 1818 Davy was made a Baronet for his service to industry." (Asimow).Dibner: Heralds of Science 181. - Partington IV: p. 36 a. 62-70.

Leipzig, Grosse & Gleditsch, 1683. 4to. Contemporary full vellum. Handwritten title on spine. Library label to pasted down front free end-paper and a small stamps on titlepage. In: "Acta Eruditorum Anno MDCLXXXIII". As usual with various browning to leaves and plates. Tschirnhaus' paper: pp. 122-124; Pp. 204-207; Pp. 433-437. [Entire volume: (8), 561, (7) pp + 13 plates]. First appearance of Tschirnhaus's three exceedingly important papers which were to to initiate one of the most famous mathematical discoveries. In the papers he used infinitisimal methods which were very close to Leibniz's method and where he tried to lay down criteria for rational quadratures in the case of conic, cubic and quadratic curves, papers that led Leibniz to publish his first paper on the differential calculus, the "Nova Methoda" in the Acta for 1684 in order to secure his priority over Tschirnhaus concerning the calculus. Leibniz discovered, when he read Tschirnhaus' papers, that Tschirnhaus had here published results showing similarity with Leibniz's invention of the calculus as he had confided to Tschirnhaus earlier, during their Parisian stay, and this without references to Leibniz.The present volume of Acta also contain the first edition of Tschirnhaus' "Tschirnhaus Tranformation". Tschirnhaus work intensively on finding a general method for solving equations of higher of higher degree. "His transformations constituted the most promising contribution to the solution of equations during the seventeenth century; but his elimination of the second and third coefficients by means of such transformation was far from adequate for the solution of the quintic.(Boyer. A History of Mathematics, 1968, 472 p.).Tschirnhaus (1651-1708) , a Saxon nobleman, had as wide interest as acquaintances: He studied in Leyden, served in the Dutch army, visited England and Paris several times. He set up a glassworks in Italy and is said to have introduced Porcelain to Europe. He wrote about philosophy and mathematics and was a close friend of Leibniz.

New York (printed in Georgia), September 12, 2001. Large folio, folded horizontally. Very mild edge wear. Overall in excellent condition. The original issue of The New York Times from September 12, 2001, the most important historical document pertaining to 9/11. The front page of NYT 9/12 2001 is one of the most iconic of modern history, depicting and describing the horrors of the day that had gone before. For many people, the attacks on the Twin Towers were the biggest news story of their lifetime, and almost everyone recalls exactly where they were when they heard the news of the attacks. Almost everyone will also recall the following morning, when newspapers around the world captured the horror, shock, and terror that the attacks caused. Among all these newspapers, one stands out as the most significant and iconic, namely The New York Times.

Hannover, 1870-1900. Folio. Bound in 29 hcloth and hcalf. Richly illustr. and with many lithographed plates. (In vol. 20 lacks pp. 357-72).

Avignon, Veuve Girard & Francois Seguin, 1768. 8vo. Contemp. full mottled calf. Wear to top of spine. Richly gilt spine, titlelabel with gilt lettering. (2),XXXI,380 pp. and 8 folded engraved plates. On verso of title-page a stamped exlibris. On inside frontcover an engraved exlibris "John Cookney". Internally clean, printed on good paper. This edition of the first treatise on the differential calculus, first published 1696, is the first with the commentaries by the famous French astronomer Nicolas-Louis De Lacaille, taken from his noted "Leçons élémentaires de mathématiques"."The Analyse des infiniment petits was the first textbook of the differential calculus. The existence of several commentaries on it - one by Varignon (1725) - attests to its popularity. The question of its intellectual ownership has been much debated. Jean Bernoulli, who is known to have instructed L’Hospital in the calculus about 1691, complained after L’Hospital’s death that he (Bernoulli) had not been given enough credit for his contributions. L’Hospital himself, in the introduction to his books, freely acknowledges his indebtedness to Leibniz and to the Bernoulli brothers. On the other hand, he states that he regards the foundations provided by him as his own idea, although they also have been credited by some to Jean Bernoulli. However, these foundations can be found, less explicitly, also in Leibniz, although Leibniz made it clear that he did not accept L’Hospital’s Platonistic views on the reality of infinitely small and infinitely large quantities."(DSB).

Kjøbenhavn, Soldin, 1807. 8vo. In a nice recent half calf binding with gilt lettering to spine. Light occassional brownspotting, otherwise a nice copy. 48 pp. + 40 hand coloured plates (plate 12 and 13 supplied in facsimilie). Each of the four part with a seperate title-page (included in the pagination). Rare first edition of the brothers Soldin's beautifully illustrated work on flowers found around Copenhagen, Denmark. Bibliotheca Danica II, 191.

Stuttgart, (1956). 8vo. Orig. fulll brown cloth w. gilt lettering to spine and front board; original red dust-jacket w. a bit of sunning to spine, otherwise near perfect condition. A very nice, clean, and fresh copy. 251, (1) pp. First edition, presentation-copy, of one of Adorno's most interesting and important works. With a five lines long presentation-inscription signed "Th. W. Adorno", dated "Frankfurt, 16. November 1956."Most of text was written between 1934 and 1937, when Adorno was not allowed to teach in Frankfurt, but parts of the book were written shortly before the first printing of the book, in 1956. The important and influential German philosopher and sociologist, Theodor Ludwig Wiesengrund Adorno (1903 - 1969), was a leading member of the Frankfurt School, together with e.g. Horkheimer, Benjamin, and Habermas. He taught philosophy at the university of Frankfurt, but as a Jew, his teaching position was taken from him in 1933. He went to Oxford to teach, and in 1938 he emigrated to America, where he was the leader of several sociological projects in both New York and Los Angeles. Together with Horkheimer he wrote the theoretical manifest of the Frankfurt School, the "Dialektik der Aufklärung". I 1949 he returned to Frankfurt, where he became professor of philosophy and sociology. "Theodor W. Adorno was one of the most important philosophers and social critics in Germany after World War II. Although less well known among anglophone philosophers than his contemporary Hans-Georg Gadamer, Adorno had even greater influence on scholars and intellectuals in postwar Germany. In the 1960s he was the most prominent challenger to both Sir Karl Popper's philosophy of science and Martin Heidegger's philosophy of existence. Jürgen Habermas, Germany's foremost social philosopher after 1970, was Adorno's student and assistant. The scope of Adorno's influence stems from the interdisciplinary character of his research and of the Frankfurt School to which he belonged. It also stems from the thoroughness with which he examined Western philosophical traditions, especially from Kant onward, and the radicalness to his critique of contemporary Western society. He was a seminal social philosopher and a leading member of the first generation of Critical Theory." (SEP).In this anti-epistemological work, Adorno deals with the more general question of the possibility of truth and of epistemology in principle ("die Frage nach Möglichkeit und Wahrheit von Erkenntnistheorie prinzipiell", Vorrede, p. 9), although the outer structure of the work is that of the philosophy of Husserl. Adorno comes to the conclusion that all epistemology is misguided, because it is based on some sort of "prima philosophia", an original or first principle, which cannot in reality be an absolutely first, because it is a concept, which is mediated. Adorno's work became hugely influential throughout philosophical and sociological circles, and his "Zur Metakritik der Erkenntnistheorie" (translated as "Against Epistemology") counts as one of his most important works. "It inspired Habermas and Marcuse and continues to influence other eminent thinkers in philosophy and the social sciences today." (From the English language translation by Willis Domingo).

London, John Legatt for Robert Allot, 1630 (Both works. "The Principles..." having two title-pages, the last stating:) London, Beale for Philemon Stephens & Christopher Meredith, 1630. 12mo. In contemporary full calf. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Light wear to extremities, corners bumped and boards with a few marks and stains. First leaves slightly soiled and a few leaves with tears but internally generally nice and clean. (22), 639, (1) pp.; (22), 767 pp. Seventh edition of Byfield’s work containing several treatises on “the weightiest things can concern a Christian life”. The first edition being published in 1620. Nicholas Byfield (1579–1622) was a prominent religious figure in England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, known for his Calvinistic Puritan beliefs. He was born in Warwickshire around 1579, and although he attended Oxford University, he didn't graduate. Instead, he became a preacher and was initially bound for Ireland but ended up staying in Chester due to his popularity as a preacher there. In 1611, Byfield became involved in a controversy regarding Sabbath observance when a young man he had instructed, John Brerewood, refused to work on Sundays based on Byfield's teachings. This sparked a debate between Byfield and Edward Brerewood, John's uncle, which was later published as "A Learned Treatise of the Sabaoth" in 1630. In 1615, Byfield became the vicar of Isleworth, where he served diligently until his death in 1622 at the age of around 43. He suffered from kidney stones for many years, which ultimately contributed to his death. Byfield was survived by his wife Elizabeth and at least eight children, one of whom was named Adoniram. (See DNB).

Paris, Anselin et Pochard, 1823. 4to. a. folio. (52 x 35 cm.). Contemp. hcalf. 3 leaves in 4to. (Engraved frontispiece -Title-page - Table de Plans, Cartes et Gravures). Atlas. 2 double-page tables Lithographed), 9 engraved double-page maps/plans, 5 engraved maps/plans in folio, 8 smaller engraved maps and views.

London, Hodgson & Son, 1932. Royal 8vo. Entire volumes 33+34 of "Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society. Second Series" bound together in a very nice contemporary blue full cloth binding with gilt lettering and gilt ex-libris ("Belford College. Univ. London") to spine. Very minor bumping to extremities. Binding tight and in excellent, very nice, clean, and fresh condition in- as well as ex-ternally. Small circle-stamp to pasted-down front free end-paper and to title-page of volume 33 ("Bedford College for Women"). Discreet library-markings to upper margin of pasted-down front free end-paper. Pp. 195-208. [Entire volumes: (´Vol. 33, 1932:) (4), 563, (1) pp.; (vol. 34, 1932:) (6), 562 pp.]. First printing of this important paper which coined the term "cumulant" within probability theory and statistics.Cumulants were first introduced by the Danish mathematician and statistician Thorvald N. Thiele in 1889. He, however, called them "half-invariants", a name that was not to be used for them in the future. It was not until the present work by the great statistical geneticist Ronald Fisher and the famous statistician John Wishart (eponym of the Wishart distribution) that these "cumulants" were given their name, the name that we still use today. According to the historian Stephen Stigler, the name "cumulant" was suggested to Fisher by Harold Hotelling. In another paper published in 1929, Fisher had called them cumulative moment functions.The present volume contains many other interesting and important mathematical papers, e.g. Carmichael's "Expansions of Arithmetical Functions in Infinite Series" (vol. 34), Mulholland's "The Generalization of Certain Inequality Theorems Involving Powers." (vol. 33), etc., etc.

Leipzig u. Heidelberg, Winter'sche Verlagshandlung, 1869. Orig. full cloth, gilt back, gilt lettering on frontcover. very light discolouring to back. X,382 pp., 8 tinted wood-engraved plates, 9 textillustr. and 1 large folded outline-coloured lithographed map. The first ab. 25 leaves with a brownspot in lower margin (decraesing) and last ca 20 leaves with a rather faint dampstaining in upper inner margins. First edition. It contains importent observations on the geography, ornithology and natural history of the area by the respected ornitologist Heuglin, as he described many african species for the first time in his ornitological work.

London and Paris, George Virtue and Ferrier, 1836. 4to. Bound in 2 very fine contemp. embossed full black morocco, signed Westley/London in bottom of the blindstamped rococco motive on covers. Spines richly gilt and with a gilt border on covers. All edges gilt. A small nick to one corner, otherwise in very fine condition. 2 engraved titles and 2 printed. VI,(2),192;(4),136 pp. and 106 (57+49) fine steel-engraved plates drawn by Bartlett with different engravers. 1 large folded map. All plates with protective tissue guards. A few plates with light offsetting, otherwise fine and clean throughout. Text in French. First French edition in a very attractive embossed binding, signed.

Paris, Prelard, 1693. 8vo. In contemporary full calf with four raised bands and richly gilt spine. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Wear to extremities, parts of gilting worn off. Head of spine chipped, showing headbands. Internally nice and clean. (22), 496, (6) pp. The rare second edition of Jacques Esprit critical examination of human virtues in which he argues that many so-called virtues are often based on self-interest rather than true moral values. The work was a significant contribution to the genre of moral literature that was prominent in France during the 17th century and was reprinted several times, it was first published in 1678 – a year after the author had passed away. Jacques Esprit (1611 – 1677), sometimes referred to as Abbé Esprit despite never being ordained as a priest, was a French moralist and writer and member of the literary circle during the 17th century. Esprit is best known for the present work. Born in Béziers to a doctor from Toulouse, Esprit moved to Paris in 1628 where he studied theology and letters until 1634, joining his brother. In Paris he frequented the salon of the Marquise de Sablé and served both the Duchesse de Longueville and the Duc de La Rochefoucauld. His talents attracted the attention of Pierre Séguier, who granted him a pension and appointed him as a conseiller d'État in 1636. Esprit was elected to the Académie française in 1639. However, after falling out of favor with Séguier in 1644 Esprit sought refuge in an Oratorian seminary. There, he gained the friendship of Prince de Conti, who provided him with lodging. Esprit accompanied the prince to Languedoc in 1660 as his intendant. Following the prince's death in 1666 Esprit returned to Béziers, where he dedicated himself to raising his three daughters and editing his sole major work, the present.

Hannover, Carl Rümpler, 1850. 4to. Contemp. hcloth. Spine gilt. Lithographed frontispiece (Samothraki). VIII,123,(1) pp. and 20 lithographed plates (incl. maps). A small stamp to titlepage. Clean and fine. Scarce first edition.

Frankfurt & Leipzig, J. Dodsley und Compagnie, 1769. 8vo. In contemporary full calf with four raised bands and gilt lettering to spine. Light wear to extremities, spine slightly miscoloured. Internally fine and clean. (12), 248, (2) pp. + frontispiece depicting a two-headed snake. Rare first German translation of Banscroft’s influential work on the Natural History of Guiana, 'One of the earliest and most informative accounts of the flora and fauna of the Guianas' (Wood). Bancroft here provided valuable insights into the natural history, flora, and fauna of the Guiana region and he documented various aspects of the local environment, including the plants, animals, and geological features. In the 1763, Bancroft undertook a scientific expedition to Guiana (nowadays part of northeastern South America and divided between several countries, including Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana). The expedition was focused on studying the natural history, botany, and geology of the region. Bancroft's observations and collections during his travels contributed to the scientific understanding of the natural resources and biodiversity of Guiana. His interest in the natural world and scientific exploration complemented his later activities as a chemist and physician. Sabin 3107.

Jena, Vidvae Meyer, 1733. Folio. Cont. full calf w. richly gilt back. A bit of wear to extremities, but a very nice and clean copy. Beautiful vignettes and woodcut initials at beginning, as well as woodcut end-vignettes to the larger sections. Title-page printed in red and black. Engraved portrait-frontispiece, engraved frontispiece (depicting Aristotle, Socrates, Strato, Epicur, Anaximander and Pythagoras), (69), 1206; 1 blank leaf, (8), 88; 47, (1); (16), 42; (8), 25, (1); (52, -Index) pp. First Latin edition of Cudworth's main work, "The true Intellectual System of the World" from 1678. The English philosopher Ralph Cudworth (1617- 1688) was the leader of the Cambridge Platonists. In 1678 he published parts of his main work, the "Intellectual System", which, according to Cudworth himself, arose out of a discourse refuting determinism, or, as he put it, "fatal necessity". Cudworth set out to prove three matters that together constitute the intellectual system of the universe (in opposition to the physical), namely the existence of God, the naturalness of moral distinctions, and the reality of human freedom, thereby disproving atheism, religious fatalism, and the fatalism of the Stoics. In his criticism of materialistic atheism, Cudworth principally aimed at Hobbes, who he necessarily had to refute. Apart from his great attempt to refute atheism and all the philosophers that he could connect with it, a much discussed part of the book is that in which he introduces his conception of the "Plastic Medium", which is supposed to explain the laws of nature without referring everything directly back to God, and which very much resembles Plato's "World-Soul". This "Plastic Medium" resulted in long philosophic controversies."His [Cudworth's] most important work, The true Intellectual System..., is a fragment of an even larger work he had planned to refute materialism of Epicurus and of Thomas Hobbes. Cudworth believed that a "rightly understood" mechanical and corpuscular philosophy did not destroy traditional religion but instead offered it new support. If matter was inert and utterly passive, then a spiritual principle was necessary to endow the universe with life and activity. But the principle involved in the ordinary course of nature was not to be equated with God, for then He would be responsible for the "Errors and bungles" in nature. Such tasks were performed by a subordinate and unconscious "plastic nature". Cudworth rejected Cartesian dualism and asserted cosmic continuity." (P.M. Rattansi in DSB). Brunet II:437 - Graesse II:305.

London, Oxford University Press, 1962. 8vo. In the original printed wrappers. Offprint from "The Proceedings of the British Academy", Volume XLVIII. Minor wear to extremities, internally with light marginal annotations in pencil, otherwise fine. Pp. (2), 187-211. First printing, in the scarce offprint, of Strawson's famous landmark essay, in which he argues that free-will issues are crucially about the conditions required to hold persons responsible for their actions and that responsibility is "constituted by persons adopting certain "reactive attitudes" towards themselves and others". The essay is now regarded a classic and "the seminal essay of modern free-will debates". (Kane The Oxford Handbook of Free Will, P. 15)."In his landmark essay, 'Freedom and Resentment,' P. F. Strawson (1962) sets out to adjudicate the dispute between those compatibilists who hold a consequentialist view of responsibility and those incompatibilists who hold the merit-based view. Both are wrong, Strawson believes, because they distort the concept of moral responsibility by sharing the prevailing assumption sketched above - the assumption that holding persons responsible rests upon a theoretical judgment of their being responsible. According to Strawson, the attitudes expressed in holding persons morally responsible are varieties of a wide range of attitudes deriving from our participation in personal relationships, e.g., resentment, indignation, hurt feelings, anger, gratitude, reciprocal love, and forgiveness." (SEP).