Overview

The first ever English translation of Francois Hemsterhuis' early series of philosophical letters published during the 1760s and 1770s. In this edition, the Letter on an Antique Gemstone, Letter on Sculpture, Letter on Desires and Letter on Man and his Relations are published chronologically to gradually reveal Hemsterhuis' complete systematic vision. They are supplemented with three introductions: the first by Peter Sonderen pinpoints the significance of Hemsterhuis' remarkably influential aesthetics; the second by Jacob van Sluis provides the context to his comprehensive Letter on Man and his Relations; and the third by Gabriel Trop focuses on the importance of these writings in the history of ideas, especially Herder's translation and 'Postscript' to the Letter on Desires, Diderot's commentary on the Letter on Man and his Relations and Goethe's incorporation of Hemsterhuis' definition of beauty into his aesthetic reflections.

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9781474486651

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Reviews

"The presentation of these volumes is expectedly excellent. The editors'experience with pulling understudied thinkers into the Anglophone context is well established at this point, and their treatment of Hemsterhuis is no exception. The essays that accompany these translations are all astute and appreciative commentaries, which help lend important context to the material itself. [...] Anyone interested in learning more about Hemsterhuis, or indeed about the history and continued importance of 18th and 19th century European philosophy, should read these volumes, introductions and all.--Luke R. Moffat, Lancaster University ""Symphilosophie 5 (2023)"" Francois Hemsterhuis' philosophical output, consisting of letters and Platonic dialogues published in French during the 1760s to 80s, has remained something of a Geheimtipp among experts of German Idealism. This expertly introduced and annotated, first translation into English of Hemsterhuis' Philosophical Works brilliantly demonstrates it deserves a much wider audience.--Wiep van Bunge, Erasmus University Rotterdam"

Author Information

Jacob van Sluis, Subject librarian, University Library of Groningen. Daniel Whistler, Reader in Modern European Philosophy, Royal Holloway, University of London.

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