Two volumes, 8vo, pp. viii, 5-482; 361, [4] approbatio and privilege, [1] blank; with four folding plates after p. 352; woodcut headpieces; some spotting and marking, especially to start of volume one, but otherwise, aside from some light browning, clean and fresh; paper reinforcement to the fold in the plate depicting the system of Tycho Brahe, after old tear, with a loss of c. 1mm; in contemporary sheep, spine with raised bands tooled in gilt with morocco lettering-pieces; some wear, and slight loss to corner of upper board of volume one (possibly rodent-induced).

Very uncommon guide, by the Parisian surgeon Jean-Charles-Félix Caron, to the philosophy student in the University of Paris needs to know in order to graduate first as bachelor and then as master of arts in the university. The work is essentially a kind of bluffer's guide: "there are people who, obliged to do their philosophy to pass their MA, can only devote themselves imperfectly to its study, as they are often distracted by other occupations, and who are, .by the end of their course, scarcely further advanced than they were at the start, no matter how good their tutor". As a medic, Caron knew this all too well; having spent his university time too much engaged with patients, he was granted remedial classes with the Abbé Lettrier, and it is his précis of these classes that he presents here.

In fact, Caron's work draws heavily on Guillaume Guillier's Candidatus atrium, which had appeared in 1732, but the points of difference say much about the slow evolution of the syllabus into a recognisably modern one. The basic division of the subject (logic, metaphysics, ethics, and physics) remains intact, but the section on physics is vastly more expanded than that in Guillier's work, reflecting the increased interest in the subject through the eighteenth century; Newtonian physics, completely absent from the earlier work, also makes an appearance. The four folding plates at the end of the second volume show an astrolabe and the cosmological systems of Copernicus, Ptolemy, and Tycho Brahe.

Caron (1739-1824), was the author of numerous medical works on subjects ranging from medical education to croup.

Despite the slightly odd pagination of the prelims of volume 1, this copy appears complete, matching that in the BnF and consistent with the catchwords; outside Continental Europe, OCLC records copies at the National Library of Chile and the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

Reviews

(Log in or Create an Account first!)

Details

Bookseller: Bernard Quaritch Ltd (GB)
Bookseller's Inventory #: H5464
Title: Compendium institutionum philosophiae
Author: CARON, Jean-Charles-Félix
Book Condition: Used
Quantity Available: 1
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: N.M. Tilliard
Place of Publication: Paris
Date Published: 1770
Weight: 0.00 lbs
Keywords: Philosophy, education
Note: May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.

Terms of Sale

Bernard Quaritch Ltd

Bernard Quaritch Ltd is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) of Great Britain, and of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). We observe the highest professional and ethical standards, and abide by the ABA Code of Good Practice.

Descriptions and Authenticity

We guarantee the authenticity and completeness of every item and will clearly note any defect in our description. We will describe the condition of the goods at the time of the sale and provide any information in our possession about condition for which you may reasonably ask.

Export Licensing

Customers outside the EU should be aware that books over 100 years old and photographs over 50 years old with a value exceeding the EU thresholds at the point of sale, and all manuscript items over 50 years old require an export licence, which may take around four weeks to be granted. Within the EU, items over 50 years old and with a value exceeding the current OGEL (Open General Export Licence) thresholds are also subject to export licence regulations. Delivery cannot be made until the licence is granted. We will handle all aspects of the export licence application where required.

Delivery

Items will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted. Please note that every effort will be made to meet the delivery times and dates required, however no liability is accepted for any costs, expenses or damages arising from any delay. Please note that all items with a value in excess of £2000 will be sent by courier (Transworld within the UK or FedEx for overseas deliveries) unless you expressly request an alternative delivery method. All items are fully insured. For items with a value in excess of £300 we charge an additional £5 packing charge.

Items damaged or not as described

Please ensure you inspect all items upon receipt and notify us immediately if you are not satisfied that they are in the condition described.

About the Seller

Bernard Quaritch Ltd

This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2020

London, London

Ask Seller a Question

About Bernard Quaritch Ltd

One of the world's oldest and best-known firms of booksellers, Bernard Quaritch Ltd has been dealing in rare books and manuscripts of all periods and in all subjects since 1847.

Archives, valuations, & auction commissions. Catalogues issued regularly.

Glossary
Frequently asked questions

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Morocco: Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
Plate: Full page illustration or photograph. Plates are printed separately from the text of the book, and bound in at production. I.e.,...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Raised Band(s): Raised bands refer to the ridges that protrude slightly from the spine on leather bound books. The bands are created in the...