BOLZANO, Bernard.

Erbauungsreden für Akademiker. (Educational Lectures for University Graduates).

Prag: Caspar Widtmann, 1813. FIRST EDITION TP + Dedication page + [V]-XX = Vorrede + [XXI]-XXII] = Inhalt + [1]-354, Octavo. This is Bolzano's first book, published while he was still teaching at the University of Prague. He had been appointed to the chair of religion in 1805 shortly before he received his doctorate and was ordained a priest. The chair he occupied was one established by Emperor Francis of Austria in universities and higher schools throughout the Empire in 1804. The Emperor created these position in order to teach people to become "good Christians and responsible citizens" and to counteract the ideas then emanating from the French Revolution. For the next 14 years, Bolzano taught at the university, lecturing mainly on ethics, social questions and the links between mathematics and philosophy. He was very popular with both the student body, who appreciated his straightforward expression of his beliefs, and his fellow professors, who recognized his intelligence. In 1818, he became Dean of the philosophy department. However, in 1819, after several investigations, Bolzano was deprived of his position and forbidden to lecture and to publish because of his outspoken beliefs. The views put forth in this book, along with his paper and letters, formed the basis for that verdict. (Later this ban was relaxed to allow the publication of works that were without religious or political content.) The ban allowed Bolzano the opportunity to devote his time to the study of mathematics and logic which led to his revolutionary thoughts on both of those topics. In his own time, Bolzano's work was largely unrecognized and it wasn't until the early 20th Century that Husserl became his champion and brought his revolutionary work to real prominence. Contemporary blue & black marbled pasteboard binding with gilt & brown label on spine and a 1" square piece of white paper with the number 123 written on it. Slight wear to spine edges. Internally, the text is very lightly browned on all pages. Overall, a very lovely copy of a rare book. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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• ordernr.: 147

• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)