Pure Logic or the Logic of Quality apart from Quantity: with remarks on Boole's System and on the Relation of Logic and Mathematics.
London: Edward Stanford, 1864 Stock Code: 114514
First edition of Jevons's first work on logic, one of two pamphlets (the other was The Substitution of Similars, 1869) in which he developed the calculus presented by Boole in An investigation of the laws of thought (1854). Jevons had already consulted Boole before sending him a copy; in a letter of 1863 he recorded,"I have written on the subject to Professor Boole, on whose logical system mine is an improvement. In his answer he does not explain away an objection I had raised against his system. He seems to think that my paper viz. Pure Logic probably does not contain more than he himself knows, this being a common failing of philosophers and others; but still he tells me very civilly that if I think still that there is anything new in my paper I ought to publish, which of course I shall do one way or another before long." Jevons's principal advance was to reduce the operations of the Boolean calculus to a mechanical procedure. He here stood at the start of a road that led to the modern application of logic in computer-programming; he himself designed a "logical abacus" and "logical piano", ancestors of the computer which performed the operations of the revised Boolean calculus and whose mode of operation had affinities with the use of a truth-table.
Description
Octavo. Original pebble-grained blue cloth, printed paper label to spine and front cover, boards panelled in blind, brown coated endpapers.
Illustrations
With the initial blank leaf.
Condition
Partly erased ownership signature to front free endpaper. Spine toned and fraying at tips, occasional finger mark or spot to contents. A very good copy.
DELIVERY
With the exception of framed items*, Peter Harrington offers free delivery on all UK orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website. Delivery to USA and the rest of the world is similarly free for orders over £200.
ABOUT US
Established in 1969, Peter Harrington is one of the leading rare book firms in the world. It is a proud member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association – along with ILAB, the PBFA and Lapada – and from shops in Mayfair and Chelsea, London, sells rare books, prints and ephemera to customers across the world.
Email: mail@peterharrington.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 0220