Author: BURDON (William):
Title: Materials for Thinking.
Description: Newcastle: Printed by K. Anderson...and sold by T. Ostell...London, 1806. FIRST EDITION. 8vo, pp. 404 [405 Table of Contents, 406 blank], contemporary boards, slightly later linen spine, with hand-written paper label; last 12 leaves noticeably water-stained, boards and edges worn, spine snagged and soiled. Burdon (1764 - 1818) made a name for himself in the early 19th century as a prolific author and commentator on social and political events. Although he had published works exhibiting some philosophical inclinations, this was his first attempt at a more comprehensive exposition of philosophical ideas. His purpose is, as he puts in the Preface, "to lessen the effect of prejudice and diffuse the comforts of society." His topics here are "Liberality of Sentiment," "Human Inconsistencies," "The Imagination," "Characters," "The Feelings," "Education," "Liberty and Necessity," and "Political OEconomy." There are very few mentions of other authors in the main body of the text, but when one occurs it seems clear that Burdon was well-acquainted with the literature of the preceding two centuries, and the Notes, which take up pp. 307 - 404, are full of references to other authors. The "Table of Contents" is for "Vol. I," but this volume was the only one published at this time. Burdon reissued the work in 1810, this time in two volumes.

Keywords: philosophy prose


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