Alciphron: Or the Minute Philosopher in Seven Dialogues [with] A New Theory of Vision; Containing an Apology for the Christian Religion, Against Those Who are Called Free-Thinkers

London: J. Tonson, 1732. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 vol. 8vo. [13], 2-350, [2]; [9], 2-358, [2] pp. Eighteenth-century calf with the twin gilt rules on each board, spines in six compartments with later red and green morocco labels lettered and ruled in gilt on each spine; all edges decoratively speckled. Bound with a later edition of Berkeley's Theory of Vision. Illustrated with two small woodcuts on the title pages, and several wood-cut initials, head and tailpieces. The Theory of Vision contains a few in-text diagrams. Contains one of the mispaginations in volume II but not the other. Honderich 89. Jessop 16a. Keynes 15. Mead 10. Written in colonial America, Berkeley's Alciphron is a vigorous defense of Christianity against the atheists, deists, and skeptics of his day. It elicited several responses from other theologians, and would help Berkeley shape his later views concerning philosophy of language. According to Honderich, "Berkeley is a most striking and even unique phenomenon in the history of philosophy. There have been many philosophers who have constructed bold and sweeping ... metaphysical systems ... have been devoted to the clarification and defence of 'common sense' ... some have made it their chief concern to defend religious faith and doctrine against their perceived enemies. It is the peculiar achievement of Berkeley that, with high virtuosity and skill, he contrived to present himself in all these roles at once" (Honderich 89). The volumes rebacked in later unpolished leather, the boards show minor rubbing; the reverse of the front flyleaf of volume one has a pre-20th century inscription citing a 1746 publication, each title page has a pre-20th century name in its margin.