FRIES, Jacob Friedrich.

System der Metaphysik, Ein Handbuch fur Lehre und zum Selbstgebrauch (System of Metaphysics, A Handbook for Life and Self Improvement).

Heidelberg: Christian Friedrich Winter, 1824. FIRST EDITION TP + [V]-VIII + half-title (Grundriss der Metaphysik) + [3]-86 + half-title (System der Metaphysik) + [1]-536, Octavo. First Editions. Glamacher 79 & 81. Note: Thomas Glasmacher's bibliography lists Grundriss der Metaphysik (Outline of Metaphysics) as book #79 and System der Metaphysik as #81. This copy, however, combines both books in one volume with a common Contents page - making this a version unknown to Glassmacher. The Inhaltanzeige (Contents) here lists both works side-by-side and effectively serves as a concordance between the books - making this a very interesting copy indeed. Fries considered the development of idealism by Fichte, Schelling and Hegel to be a serious mistake. "In his view the proper and profitable task for philosophy was to carry on the work of Kant without turning the Kantian philosophy into a system of metaphysics. True, Fries himself made use of the word 'metaphysics' but this word meant for him a critique of human knowledge, not a science of the Absolute." (Copelston, VII, 2, p. 11). His influence extended into the early part of the twentieth century when the so-called Neo-Fresian School was founded by Leonard Nelson (1882-1927). This book belongs to Fries "later period" - the one that followed his suspension from his teaching position at Jena after his active participation in the liberal celebration that took place at the Wartburg Festival on October 18, 1817. He eventual was allowed to teach again at Jena in 1824 and remained there until his death in 1843. This period marked "the final turn in his estrangement and isolation from the intellectual currents of the period. From then on, supported by a small following, he devoted his life to studies of mathematics, physics, and psychology, to systematization of his metaphysics and ethics, and to a rewriting of the history of philosophy on the theme of 'progress in scientific development'." (EP, Vol. III, p. 253) Contemporary boards with a worn spine label in black. The binding is worn but quite handsome considering its age. An untrimmed copy with every other four pages considerably smaller that the preceding four. Overall, a splendid, contemporary copy. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

• USD 550.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 344

• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)