Descartes, René | "I think, therefore, I am"

Descartes, René 

[Discours de la methode, English edition.] A Discourse of a Method For the well guiding of Reason, And the Discovery of Truth in the Sciences. London: Printed by Thomas Newcombe, 1649

8vo (145 x 94 mm). Woodcut ornaments; small hole to A⁵ costing one letter, a few old creases some light dampstaining and spotting. Contemporary dark brown calf over boards, edges gilt; worn with significant loss of calf.

First English edition of Descartes' most famous work, in which appears the phrase "I think, therefore, I am" (p.51). This copy with integral title-page (A4) and shorter imprint that read "Printed by Thomas Newcombe" and date. A variant imprint exists with "for John Holden" added to the imprint.

Discourse on the Method is regarded as a seminal work in the movement toward modern philosophy. It is also seen as essential to the advancement of natural sciences. While acknowledging his his predecessors and peers, through Discourse on the Method Descartes sought to challenge their approaches to account for a truth he found to be incontrovertible. He began by doubting everything so that he might assess the world from perspective free of preconceived notions. Discourse on the Method was first published in Leiden, and later translated into Latin and published in Amsterdam.

Rare.

REFERENCE:

Norman 624; Cf. Wing D-1129