Beschreibung:

Title: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, and its Influence on General Virtue and Happiness Author: Godwin, William Place: London Publisher: G.G.J. and J. Robinson Date: 1793 Description: 2 volumes. xiv, [26], 378; [22], (379)-895, [1 blank], [2] pp. Both half titles present; a portion of the table of contents for Volume 1 has been bound into Volume 2 and vice versa. (4to) 26.7x21.5 cm. (10½x8½") old marbled boards, spines and corners with cloth tape repairs. First Edition. An important political tract and considered the author's masterpiece. "...one of the earliest, the clearest, and most absolute theoretical expositions of socialist and anarchist doctrine." - (Printing and the Mind of Man). Godwin (1756–1836) is one of the important precursors of both utilitarian and liberal anarchist thought. His 1793 Enquiry, published during the French Revolution, marks a phase in English thought, taking its place alongside Milton's Areopagitica, Locke's Essay on Education and Rousseau's Emile. By the words "political justice" the author meant "the adoption of any principle of morality and truth into the practice of a community," and the work was therefore an inquiry into the principles of society, government and morals. He believed in the perfectibility of the human race, that there are no innate principles, and therefore no original propensity to evil. Godwin was also the father of Mary Wollstonecraft (author of Frankenstein). Printing and the Mind of Man 243. Lot Amendments Condition: An ex-library copy from the San Jose Free Public Library, with 19th century bookplates of the San Jose Library Association, ink stamps on endpapers and title pages, a few small ink library numbers on title pages and early leaves. Bindings crudely repaired; internally very good and well worthy of restoration. Item number: 229876