Very scarce
Ryle, Gilbert ~ The Concept Of Mind : First UK Edition
Hutchinson's University Library, London: 1949
The First UK printing published by Hutchinson's University Library, London in 1949. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Light bumping and fading at the spine ends with mild rubbing to the corners. Gilt titling to the spine is slightly dulled. Previous owner's name to the upper front end paper. Small 'Foyles' bookseller sticker to the lower front pastedown. Mild toning and spotting to the text-block and page edges. Light creasing to the lower edge of pages 83-88. The scarce first issue WRAPPER is in Very Good++ condition. Mild edge wear with some loss at the upper spine and a few nicks. The spine is lightly toned. A 5cm closed tear to the rear upper edge. A light stain to the rear cover. The wrapper presents well in the removable Brodart archival cover. 'The Concept of Mind' is a major landmark of 20th century philosophy. In it, Ryle used for the first time the term ‘the Ghost in the machine’, describing the philosophical illusion of Cartesian dualism, which he argued was sustained by logical errors and ‘category mistakes’, a term Ryle coined in the book. He argued 'I hope to prove that it (Cartesian dualism) is entirely false, and false not in detail but in principle. It is not merely an assemblage of particular mistakes. It is one big mistake and a mistake of a special kind. It is, namely, a category mistake.' Widely seen as being ‘the last nail in the Cartesian coffin’, the book is regarded as a founding work in the philosophy of the mind, which has since been recognised as a distinct and important branch of philosophy. Extremely scarce as the First UK printing with the wrapper. Collectible.
BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good++
£450