The Metaphysics of Aristotle, Translated from the Greek…To Which is Added, A Dissertation.

ARISTOTLE; TRANSLATED BY JOHN TAYLOR,.

Item Number: 22030

London: Printed for the Author by Davis, Wilks, and Taylor, 1801.

First edition in English of the Metaphysics of Aristotle. Quarto, bound in period style full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine label, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels. In near fine condition, wide margins, some scattered light browning. Translated by John Taylor. A very nice example, beautifully bound.

Metaphysics is one of the principal works of Aristotle and the first major work of the branch of philosophy with the same name. “It forms the highest step in Aristotle’s system, and deals with the first principles of all existence. Here he grapples with the deepest questions of philosophy” (Peck, 130). Translated by Thomas Taylor, a leading English classicist of the day. “In his knowledge of Plato and Aristotle he has never been equaled by any Englishman, and he is still the most important disseminator of ancient philosophy in the history of English and American literature. Taylor went on to complete all the works of Aristotle, but his introduction and important ‘Dissertation’ [which appear here] were not included in the Works” (Axon, 11). “This edition contains some valuable matter by the translator, not reprinted in the ninth volume of his complete translation of Aristotle’s Works” (Lowndes, 69).