Synopsis
Essays on Philosophical Subjects, by the Scottish economist Adam Smith, is a history of astronomy down to his own era, plus some thoughts on ancient physics and metaphysics. This work was published posthumously, in 1795, using material which he'd intended to publish eventually but had not prepared at the time of his death in 1790. This was done by his literary executors, two old friends from the Scottish academic world; physicist/chemist Joseph Black & pioneering geologist James Hutton. A brief account of their work appears in a section entitled 'Advertisement by the Editors'. The book consists of three distinct works: The History of Astronomy, The History of the Ancient Physics & The History of the Ancient Logics & Metaphysics.
The History of Astronomy is the largest of these & is thought to have been written in the 1750s, before Smith's major works. The overall understanding is excellent, though the Glasgow Edition of 1976 includes some detailed criticism of his use of sources. But also defends him for calling Newton a philosopher rather than a scientist; the word 'scientist' didn't exist before 1839. It's also interesting for containing the 1st mention of the Invisible Hand: "For it may be observed, that in all Polytheistic religions, among savages, as well as in the early ages of heathen antiquity, it is the irregular events of nature only that are ascribed to the agency & power of the gods. Fire burns, & water refreshes; heavy bodies descend, & lighter substances fly upwards, by the necessity of their own nature; nor was the invisible hand of Jupiter every apprehended to be employed in those matters." (III.2, page 49, Glasgow Edition.)
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Essays on Philosophical Subjects. To Which is Prefixed, An Account of the Life and Writings of the Author
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Condition: Used - Very Good. 1982. Facsimile of 1795 ed. Cloth. 8vo. xcv and 244 pp. Very Good. Seller Inventory # F0001929
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Essays on Philosophical Subjects: To Which is Prefixed, an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author.
Seller: Kloof Booksellers & Scientia Verlag, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Condition: very good. Edited by Dugald Stewart. Hildesheim & New York : G. Olms, 1982. Orig. cloth binding. 244 pp. Condition : very good copy. ISBN 9783487071213. Keywords : PHILOSOPHY, Smith, Adam (1723-1790). Seller Inventory # 178560
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Essays on Philosophical Subjects
Seller: SKULIMA Wiss. Versandbuchhandlung, Westhofen, Germany
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Condition: Wie Neu. Zustandsbeschreibung: leichte Lagerspuren/minor shelfwear. By the late Adam Smith. [Edited by Joseph Black & James Hutton]. To which is prefixed, an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author by Dugald Stewart. Reprint der Ausgabe London 1795. Contents: The Principles which lead and direct Philosophical Enquiries: illustrated by the History of Astronomy; illustrated by the History of the Ancient Physics; illustrated by the History of Ancient Logics and Mathematics. Of the Nature of that Imitation which takes place in what are called the Imitative Arts. Of the Affinity between Music, Dancing, and Poetry. Of the Affinity between certain English and Italian Verses. Of the External Senses (Touching, Tasting, Smelling, Hearing, Seeing). - From the Editors' Advertisement: "The much lamented Author of these Essays left them in the hands of his friends to be disposed of as they thought proper [.]. When these were inspected, the greater number of them appeared to be parts of a plan he once had formed, for giving a connected history of the liberal sciences and elegant arts. It is long since he found it necessary to abandon that plan as far too extensive; and these parts of it lay beside him neglected until his death. His friends are persuaded however, that the reader will find in them that happy connection; that full and accurate expression, and that clear illustration which are conspicuous in the rest of his works; and that, though it is difficult to add much to the great fame he so justly acquired by his other writings, these will be read with satisfaction and pleasure". XCV,244 Seiten, gebunden (Olms Verlag 1982). Statt EUR 74,00. Gewicht: 456 g - Gebunden/Gebundene Ausgabe. Seller Inventory # 53266