The Principles of Science: A Treatise on Logic and Scientific Method.

JEVONS, W. Stanley.

Published by London: Macmillan and Co., 1874

About this Item

First edition of this incisive study of scientific investigation, drawing on many natural sciences. Jevons's work here inspired him to create a "reasoning machine", which anticipated 20th-century computing. William Stanley Jevons (1835-1882) studied natural sciences at University College, London. After that, his experience of science was primarily derived from abstract theorizing, making the Principles's disciplinary breadth all the more remarkable. Jevons argues against strict Baconian empiricism and in favour of Newtonian hypotheses: "I endeavour to show that hypothetical anticipation of nature is an essential part of inductive inquiry, and that it is the Newtonian method of deductive reasoning combined with elaborate experimental verification, which has led to all the greatest triumphs of scientific research" (p. vii). This system is known as the "hypothetico-deductive model". During his six years writing the Principles, Jevons wondered whether such logical reasoning could be performed mathematically. The result was his "reasoning machine", depicted in volume I's frontispiece. This machine is recognized as a forerunner of 20th-century computers, and is held at Oxford's History of Science Museum (ODNB). Provenance: a) Gerald J. Oppenheimer (1922-2016), director of the Health Sciences Library at the University of Washington, with his mid-20th-century signed bookplate to the front free endpaper. b) Professor Sydney Ross (1915-2013), Professor of Colloid Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with his late-20th-century bookticket to the front pastedown. Inoue and White 134. 2 vols, octavo. Woodcut frontispiece, with original tissue guard. Original brown pebble-grain cloth, spines lettered, ruled, and with publisher's device in gilt, covers panelled in blind, green coated endpapers. Late 20th-century pencil ownership signature of Stanley C. Wisniewski to recto of frontispiece (vol. I) and front free endpaper (vol. II). Light bumping and wear, inner hinges split but holding firm, minor browning to contents, loss to lower margin of rear endpapers of Vol. I: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 174422

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Principles of Science: A Treatise on Logic and Scientific Method.
• Publisher: London: Macmillan and Co., 1874
• Edition: 1st Edition