BRUCKER, Jacob.

Historia Critica Philosophiae a mundi incunabulis ad nostram usque aetatem deducta. (A Critical History of Philosophy from the beginning of the world all the way up to our own lesser age).

Lipsiae [Leipzig]: Christoph. Breitkopf, 1742-1744. FIRST EDITION Four parts in five volumes: Volume 1: 1 blank leaf + engraved portrait frontispiece + TP + [i] = dedication half-title + [iii]-[viii] = dedication + [ix]-[xii] = Praefatio + half-title + [3]-1357 + [1358]-[1392] = Index; Volume 2: 1 blank leaf + TP + [i]-[vi] = Praefatio + half-title + [3]-1092 + [1093]-[1121] = Index; Volume 3: 1 blank leaf + TP + [i]-[iv] = Praefatio + half-title + [3]-916 + [917]-[944] = Index + 1 blank leaf; Volume 4, Part I: 1 blank leaf + TP + [i]-[iv] = Praefatio + half-title + [3]-789 + [790]-[816] = Index + 1 blank leaf; Volume 4, Part II: 1 blank leaf + TP + [i]-[vi] = Praefatio + half-title + [3]-939 + [940]-[968] = Index + 1 blank leaf; Quarto. This, the first comprehensive history of philosophy, was written by Jacob Brucker - who spent most of his life as a pastor in Augsburg. Its value lies primarily in the depth of the scholarship, the breadth of the materials covered (the history summarizes the work of virtually every Western philosopher of any distinction) and the fact that for the first time, the sources (primarily Diogenes Laertius) are critically evaluated. According to the Encyclopedia of Philosophy "for Kant and the French Encyclopedists Brucker's immensely learned and detailed history was the principle authority… He was much more responsible philosophically than Diogenes or Stanley and is skeptical about the traditional sources. However, although the title promises a critical history, Brucker's 'criticism' consists of praise or blame; he does not try to examine in detail the arguments philosophers have put forward." (EP, Vol. 6, p. 227) A later observation, made while reviewing Hegel's approach to the history of philosophy, notes that Hegel "is particularly severe on Brucker, although in fact he borrows a great deal from him." (EP, Vol. 6, p. 228)The present edition is complete in five volumes (the last volume being titled Volume IV, Part II). The second edition of this massive work appeared 23 years later in 1767 with the addition of a sixth volume which is sometimes appended to this first edition. However, it is not required because the last volume here notes that it is "Finis tomi quinti et ultimi" making it clear that at the time of publication Brucker considered his task complete in these five volumes. Contemporary German half calf over marbled boards. Leather spines with five bands and gilt lettering and designs. Minor chipping to the tops of a couple of spines. Covers scratched. An uncut copy. Overall, a really splendid copy of this important work of early historical scholarship. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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