Rene Descartes: Regulae ad directionem ingenii: An Early Manuscript Version

René Descartes' Regulae ad directionem ingenii is his earliest surviving philosophical treatise, and a profoundly original work with few intellectual precursors. It offers the fullest account of his theory of method but was left unfinished and unpublished at his death in 1650. The discovery of a previously unknown, early manuscript draft in 2011 in Cambridge University Library was a significant event in Cartesian scholarship. This edition presents the Cambridge manuscript alongside the 1701 Amsterdam version, with a full English translation of both texts, and is the first critical edition to consider the full range of textual witnesses to the text.

Format: Hardback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

René Descartes' Regulae ad directionem ingenii, or Rules for the Direction of the Understanding, stands as his earliest surviving philosophical treatise, and it remains a profoundly enigmatic and captivating work. In numerous respects, it presents a unique and groundbreaking perspective, with few intellectual precedents. It offers the most comprehensive account of Descartes' theory of method in his entire corpus. However, what makes this text particularly intriguing is the fact that Descartes left it unfinished and unpublished at the time of his death in 1650. The versions that are currently accessible to modern readers are all posthumous: a manuscript copied for Leibniz in the late seventeenth century, a Dutch translation of 1684, and the version printed in 1701 in Amsterdam. Consequently, the intricacies and precise date of its composition, its fragmented and incomplete state, and the philosophical depth it encapsulates have long perplexed scholars.

A monumental turning point in Cartesian scholarship occurred in 2011 when Richard Serjeantson discovered a previously unknown, early manuscript draft of the Regulae in the Cambridge University Library. This discovery shed light on the composition, dating, and philosophical content of the Regulae in ways that had never been possible before. This edition presents the Cambridge manuscript of the Regulae alongside the 1701 Amsterdam version of the text, allowing for a direct comparison between the early manuscript draft and the version more widely known to modern readers. Furthermore, it includes comprehensive English translations of both texts, making it the first critical edition of the Regulae to consider the full range of textual witnesses to the text, both manuscript and printed.

The new Cambridge manuscript provides invaluable insights into the genesis, development, and philosophical essence of the Regulae. It challenges scholars to reevaluate fundamental questions about Descartes' early philosophical trajectory and offers a fresh perspective on his intellectual evolution. The manuscript reveals details about the text's composition, including the stages of revision and the incorporation of new ideas. It sheds light on the philosophical context in which the Regulae were written, providing valuable clues about Descartes' philosophical influences and the broader philosophical landscape of his time.

In conclusion, René Descartes' Regulae ad directionem ingenii is a seminal work that continues to fascinate and intrigue scholars. The discovery of the early manuscript draft in 2011 has opened up new avenues for understanding and appreciating this enigmatic text. This edition, by presenting the Cambridge manuscript alongside the 1701 Amsterdam version, along with comprehensive English translations, enables a deeper exploration of the Regulae's composition, dating, and philosophical significance. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of Descartes' ideas and the enduring relevance of his philosophical legacy.

Weight: 966g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199682942