Phädon oder über die Unsterblichkeit der Seele. [Phaedon; Or, The Death of Socrates].

MENDELSSOHN, Moses.

Phädon oder über die Unsterblichkeit der Seele. [Phaedon; Or, The Death of Socrates].

Berlin: Friedrich Nicolai , 1767.

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"THE GREATEST JEWISH PHILOSOPHER OF THE 18TH CENTURY… THE 'JEWISH SOCRATES'": EXCEEDINGLY RARE FIRST EDITION OF MOSES MENDELSSOHN'S SEMINAL WORK, PHAEDON

True first edition (preceding the English translation by 22 years) of Mendelssohn's "classic of rational psychology" on the immortality of the human soul, a defining work by the preeminent philosopher "who launched the Jewish thinking of the modern age," his tribute to Socrates modeled on Plato's dialogue the Phaedo. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf, frontispiece of Socrates. In near fine condition with light toning. First editions are scarce.

"A legend even during his own lifetime, Mendelssohn was regarded as the embodiment of the humanist ideal" (Encyclopedia Judaica). "Mendelssohn was a creative and eclectic thinker whose writings on metaphysics and aesthetics, political theory and theology, together with his Jewish heritage, placed him at the focal point of the German Enlightenment for over three decades… he also contributed significantly to the life of the Jewish community and letters in Germany, campaigning for Jews' civil rights and translating the Pentateuch and the Psalms into German. Not surprisingly, as a Jew with an unwavering belief in the harmonizing effects of rational analysis and discourse, Mendelssohn rankled both institutional and self-appointed advocates of Christianity as well as Judaism" (Stanford Encyclopedia).