Psychologia Or An Account of the Nature of the Rational Soul: In Two Parts. The First, Being an Essay towards Establishing the Received Doctrine.The Second, A vindication of that receiv'd and establish'd doctrine.

BROUGHTON, John.

Published by W. B. for T. Bennet and John Bosvile, London, 1703

About this Item

TP + [i]-[xi] = Dedication + [xiii]-[xxxv] = Preface + [xxxvi] = Errata + [xxxvii] = detailed half title for Part I with advertisements on verso + 1-418 + [419]-[432] = Contents, Octavo. First Edition.In 1702, William Coward published Second Thoughts concerning Human Soul in which he maintained, partly based on theories found in Locke's Essay, that there is no such thing as a separate soul, but that immortal life would be conferred upon the whole man at the resurrection. The first part of Psychologia demonstates "by rational argument the established doctrine of an immaterial and hence immortal substance united with the human body" while the second part argues for this position, attacking Coward's position, point by point and accusing him of being a follower of Democritus, Lucretius, Spinoza and Hobbes - atheists all. But, most particularly, Boughton traced Coward's position back to the Essay Concerning Humane Understanding (1690) in which Locke claimed that God could give matter the capacity to think. Boughton attacked this belief claiming that the concepts of thought and extension were incompatible and that this incompatibility proved the existence of an immaterial substance in humans, i.e. an immortal soul. Anthony Collins described Boughton's book to his friend Locke as "a discourse on nothing, or… on something about which no one knows anything." In his reply, Locke admitted that merely reading the fifth section of the book had convinced him that it was not worth bothering with the rest since it was written by an author "who argued so unconvincingly against his opponents but so convincingly against himself." Contemporary Cambridge-style calf with renewed corners. The original spine - with five raised bands and gilt lettering on a red field - has been professionally laid down. A clean, tight and bright copy of this extremely scarce book attacking John Locke and William Coward. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Seller Inventory # 1128

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Psychologia Or An Account of the Nature of the Rational Soul: In Two Parts. The First, Being an Essay towards Establishing the Received Doctrine.The Second, A vindication of that receiv'd and establish'd doctrine.
• Publisher: W. B. for T. Bennet and John Bosvile, London
• Publication Date: 1703
• Edition: FIRST EDITION.
• Seller catalogs:
  • Philosophy & Religions