Second Characters; Or the Language of Forms: Edited by Benjamin Rand (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Anthony Ashley Cooper Shaftesbury

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 026681056X ISBN 13: 9780266810568

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Discover the behind‑the‑scenes of Shaftesbury’s Second Characters and its four planned treatises, including Plastics, designed to raise art and virtue in England.

This edition presents an introduction that explains how the author’s late life in Naples spurred a major project in art and moral philosophy. It outlines the intended structure of four treatises, the path from design to emblem, and the early English and French publications that shaped the work. The material sheds light on the author’s aims, correspondence, and the historical context behind these writings.

• Learn how design, emblem, and philosophy are linked in early modern art theory.
• See how translations, publications, and preparations shaped the reception of these ideas.
• Get a view of the author’s method for connecting beauty, virtue, and public culture.
• Explore notes and terminology related to plastic art, typography, and iconography.

Ideal for readers of philosophy, art history, and classical reception who want context for early modern debates about design, virtue, and aesthetic theory.

About this title

Book Description

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713) was an English philosopher and author. Originally published in 1914, this book presents the edited text of the sequel to Cooper's major work, Characteristics. An editorial introduction and detailed notes are included.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 026681056X
• ISBN 13: 9780266810568
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 220