A New Essay Concerning the Origin of Ideas, Volume 1: False Theories

A New Essay concerning the Origin of Ideas is the first complete English translation of Rosmini’s(1) Nuovo saggio sull’origine delle idee since the publication in 1884 of a similar three volume work by William Lockhart.(2) The aim of the present edition is to offer English-speaking readers an opportunity to share in the renewed interest in Rosmini currently underway in Italy especially, but also in North and South America. This aim is, of course, dependent upon a belief that Rosmini has something to offer today. The work is not intended solely as a contribution to the history of philosophy.