Nicolas de MALEBRANCHE

First edition of Nicolas de Malebranche's debut work and magnum opus, complete with the folding plate facing p. 64 and the zoomorphic, foliate, and figural headpieces and historiated initials throughout. A second volume would complete this first edition in 1675.

Contemporary brown calf binding, spine with five raised bands, gilt fillet-ruled compartments with fleuron tools and gilt title, gilt roll on the board edges.

Head cap lacking, tail cap damaged; wear to the hinges, which are also cracked 3.1 cm and 2.5 cm at the lower and upper extremities respectively; a small hole on the hinge adjoining the upper board; scattered scuffs to the slightly warped boards; corners worn.

Marginal browning to the opening leaves; dampstaining to the upper margin throughout; ink offset to the final leaves.

Scattered foxing.

A copy with manuscript annotations and underlining in brown ink and pencil throughout the preface.

New edition after the 1712 edition, last one published during the author's lifetime. With 22 diagrams et figures in tomes I, III and IV on movement and light.
Contemporary full speckled calf bindings. Elaborately decorated raised bands. Red morocco title and volume label, ripped spine-end to vol. I. Fragile spine-end on vol. IV. Partly missing spine-end to foot of spine, on vol. I. Part missing at foot of spine to vol. IV. Rubbed corners, some bared or chafed. Small lack of leather to title- piece of vol. I.
A keystone to the history of ideas in the 17th century, in which Malebranche proceeds to unify the philosophy inherited from Descartes and Catholic dogmatism. To produce a physical effect outside the soul, a divine power is required, Malebranche denying the monism of physical causality. It includes chapters on the senses, imagination, understanding, passions... but also on science.