Traité des Animaux, Où après avoir fait des observations critiques sur le sentiment de Descartes & sur celui de M. de Buffon, on entreprend d'expliquer leurs principales facultés.

CONDILLAC, Etienne Bonnot de.

Published by Amsterdam: Et se vend à Paris, chez De Bure, Ch. Ant. Jombert, 1755

About this Item

First edition of this study of animal intelligence by one of the leading figures of the French Enlightenment, in a well-preserved contemporary binding. Etienne Bonnot de Condillac (1715-1780), a radical empiricist philosopher, was, after Voltaire, the leading exponent of John Locke in 18th-century France. His network variously included such figures as Diderot, Helvetius, and Rousseau. In the Traité, Condillac extends his adaptation of Lockean empiricism to focus on the difference between God's relationship with humans and with animals. As this implies, Condillac's tract is as concerned with the intelligence of humans as it is with that of animals. In particular, he concludes that, in contrast to humans, the inability of animals to comprehend moral laws, and their corresponding inability to obey God knowingly, precludes the immortality of their souls. Duodecimo (160 x 97 mm). Contemporary mottled calf, spine with raised bands, red morocco label, compartments with floral decoration in gilt, covers panelled in blind, marbled endpapers, edges red, green silk bookmarker. Engraved 19th-century bookplate of one "Lvdovici Hvmberti et amicorum" to front pastedown; 18th-century unlettered armorial bookplate. Light wear to one corner, a couple of spots of browning to endpapers, otherwise fresh, small loss to upper outer corner of T8: an excellent copy.

Seller Inventory # 169301

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Traité des Animaux, Où après avoir fait des observations critiques sur le sentiment de Descartes & sur celui de M. de Buffon, on entreprend d'expliquer leurs principales facultés.
• Publisher: Amsterdam: Et se vend à Paris, chez De Bure, Ch. Ant. Jombert, 1755
• Edition: 1st Edition