Locke

rif. 120724 — Edinburgh Printed by A. Donaldson and sold at his Shops in London and Edinburgh 1770. . 12mo 17.5 x 11 cm; ownership inscription in pen to front free endpaper recto dampstaining to title and first few gatherings spotting throughout; contemporary sprinkled calf rebacked preserving original spine laid down later red morocco lettering-piece corners and extremities slightly rubbed; 271 1pp. The Essay Concerning Human Understanding seeks to explain how it is that we as humans acquire our ideas and knowledge. In it Locke refutes the suggestion of rationalist philosophers like Descartes that man is born with some form of innate understanding instead famously describing the mind as a 'white paper' i.e. blank slate 'void of all characters without any ideas' which is then filled through sensory experience p.8. As such the text is considered one of the primary sources of empiricism in early modern philosophy. This abridged edition by John Wynne d.1743 a fellow of Jesus College Oxford and later Bishop of Bath and Wells was designed for use by university students and enjoyed considerable popularity as well as Locke's approval see Pforzheimer. The Essay itself is historically the most popular and enduring of Locke's writings and has never been out of print reaching 56 different edition and translations by 1800 Yolton. The abridgement itself went through 11 different editions by 1774. With provenance for Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Haydock Boardman 1755-1803 who matriculated at Brasenose College Oxford in 1773. He commanded the 2nd Dragoons from 1784 until his death. ESTC T63932. Edinburgh, Printed by A. Donaldson, and sold at his Shops in London and Edinburgh, 1770. unknown