Human Knowledge.

Russell's 'last major contribution to philosophy' (ODNB)

The first edition of this insightful empirical study, in which Russell developed his theory 'that all human knowledge is uncertain, inexact, and partial' (p.527).

The book was published following Russell's return from the United States, where he had led a strained existence since 1938, falling to gain a permanent position at any academic institution. 'At Cambridge during this time Russell was dismayed to discover how far he had fallen out of favour among the younger generation of British philosophers, for whom Wittgenstein was now the greatest influence. To his great chagrin, Human Knowledge was reviewed without any great respect. In the 1950s Russell hit back with a series of polemical attacks on "Oxford ordinary language philosophy", but these served only to widen the gulf between him and the leading philosophers of the day' (ODNB).

First UK edition, first impression; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); slight offsetting to endpapers, old bookseller's ticket to front pastedown; publisher's green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, top-edge stained green, with the unclipped dust-jacket printed on military map as issued, jacket a little toned and frayed at edges, small closed tear to spine, internally clean, very good; 538, [2]pp.