Bergsonian Philosophy and Thomism
New York: Philosophical Library, 1955. First edition thus. Octavo, original red cloth, original dust jacket. Book fine, early owner initials (dated 1959) to upper corner of blank flyleaf, short closed tear to base of rear panel of the bright dust jacket. A near-fine copy. Item #560
"THE BEST A PHILOSOPHER CAN DO IS TO HUMBLE PHILOSOPHY BEFORE THE WISDOM OF THE SAINTS" New edition of Jacques Maritain's first book, a comprehensive revision and restatement tracing the sources of his philosophical thought. The French philosopher Henri Bergson (along with Léon Bloy and Charles Peguy) was a formative influence on Jacques and Raissa Maritain as they were moving inexorably towards the Catholic Church. In later years the Maritain's were to revisit these influences time and again. Here, Maritain situates his admiration of Bergson in the intellectual atmosphere of early twentieth century France. Maritain provides a Foreword to the English Translation, dated "J. M./Princeton, N. J./January 1954" and a lengthy Preface to the Second Edition of La Philosophie Bergsonienne (dated May, 1929), along with a brief postscript (in italics, dated August, 1947): "Of my first book, I have explained above that I regret its excessively severe and often unjust tone; but that I believe the doctrinal substance still to be sound." The text itself is divided into two sections: First Part. The Documents in the Case, with three sections addressing specific and general aspects of Bergson's thought, followed by the Second Part. An Essay of Appreciation. The Appendix consists of lengthy Marginal Notes on Aristotle. Translated by Mabelle L. Andison in collaboration with J. Gordon Andison.
Price: $75.00