‎MORELLY, Étienne-Gabriel ‎
‎Code de la nature ‎

‎Code de la Nature ou le véritable esprit de ses loix, De tout tems négligéou méconnu. - [A FORERUNNER OF MARX & ENGELS]‎

‎Par-Tout (i.e. Paris or Liège), Chez le vrai Sage, 1755. Small 8vo. Lovely contemporary full mottled calf with five raised bands to richly gilt spine. And excellent nice, clean, and fresh copy, printed on good paper. Old owner's name to title-page and a bookplate to inside of front board (M. Ph. de Planterose). Title-page printed in red and black and with an engraved vignette. 236, (4) pp.‎

‎First edition of this canonical work of revolutionary utopianism, Morelly's main work, which greatly influenced later socialist and communist thought and which constitutes a forerunner of the works of Marx and Engels. The work was published anonymously and the author Étienne-Gabriel Morelly (1717 - 1778) remains a bit of a mystery about whom very little is known. At first, ""The Code of Nature"" was attributed to Denis Diderot, but other great authors of the day have also been proposed. ""The Code of Nature"" constitutes an early example of utopian socialist thought, providing a detailed plan for the establishment of a perfect state. It severely criticized the society of the time and proposed a constitution intended to lead to an egalitarian society without property, marriage, church or police. Based upon the principle that man is by nature good and the view that all social and moral ills were consequences of private property, it argues for an egalitarian society in which almost all private property - and thereby all of its pernicious consequences - is eliminated. Due to these radical views, Morelly is considered a significant forerunner of later socialist and communist thinkers, including Marx, Engels, Fourier, Proudhon, Babeuf, etc.""The Code of Nature"" had in immense impact on contemporary and later thought because it not only constitutes a theoretical utopia, but rather a sound analytical treatise with utopian elements. It reflects a realistic approach to society and includes a legislative program to return the State to a government in accordance with the natural solidarity and affection of humanity in which Morelly believed so strongly. ""The Code of Nature"" not only influenced later socialist and communist thinkers, it was also avidly discussed by contemporary Enlightenment thinkers such as Lessing, Wieland, Baumgarten, etc., and the work appeared in numerous editions throughout the 18th century. Einaudi: 4031" Kress: 5457.‎

‎Dissertation sur les raisons d'établir ou d'abroger les loix. A laquelle on joint un Examen de l'usure suivant les principes du droit naturel par (J.H.S.) Formey. A Utrecht (Paris), Chez Sorli, 1751. - (Bound with:) (MORELLY). Code de la nature, ou le véritable esprit de ses loix, de tous tems négligé ou méconnu.‎

‎Par-tout (Holland), Chez le vrai sage, 1760. 2 works bound in 1 volume. 130 pp.; 211, (5) pp. 12mo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, front cover with repair. First work: Not in Camus; Weller, ii, 129; Conlon 51:635 (listing an edition printed in 'Francfort et Leipsic' in 62 pages only); Holzmann & Bohatta, 11995; INED 1907 & 1872 (for Formey's work). One of at least two editions printed in the year of its first publication.Rare and important treatise on legal reform in which Frederic collaborated with Cujacius. The work is both historical and political and discusses the origins of law in Greece, Rome, France, England and Germany, their structure and classification and how national culture influences the development and adaptation of laws. Formey's treatise covers the pp. 86-130. It argues in favour of interest as long as the interest is "honnête". - Small stamp in blank portion of half-title.Second work: Kress 5457; INED 3318; Goldsmiths 9074; Einaudi 4031 (all listing the first edition); Le Bucher bibliographique, 780; Weller, ii, p. 140. According to Lichtenberger in his Le Socialisme au XVIIIe siècle, this is, if not the most important socialist work of the 18th century, at least one of the most important works, and it is the theoretical foundation of his famous Naufrage des isles flottantes; ou Basiliade .......'Morelly argued that the code of nature was completely communistic. Starting out from the proposition that moral evil, the essence of which was avarice, could be explained by social conditions Morelly portrayed and advocated an ideal communistic society in which it would be 'impossible to be depraved.' (.....) In many respects Morelly's system anticipates the rationalistic utopianism of Fourier' (Kingsley Martin in ESS, vol. xi, pp. 10 ff).Morelly was 'tremendously influential in inspiring utopian socialism, for his theories are reflected in almost every one of the schemes of the Utopian socialists. In fact we must regard him, if not the founder, at least as the most conspicious forerunner of the Utopian Socialists. (.....) Of the writers of his time he was the one who saw most clearly the need of a new system to replace the old; he alone was truly constructive, for he actually outlined a new social structure which he thought would meet the needs should ancient society be overthrown. While others deserve merit as critics and analysts and destroyers, he alone deserves the name of utopianist at this early period' (Hertzler, J.O. The history of Utopian Thought, p. 186 ff). The work was severely prosecuted in France. This edition was apparently printed in Holland and destined for the French market. - A very nice volume with two important texts. ‎

‎Code de la nature ou le véritable esprit de ses lois, de tout temps négligé ou méconnu.‎

‎ 1970 Editions Sociales, Paris - 1970 - In-12 broché, couverture illustrée - 155 pages ‎

‎Assez bon état - Plis et frottements sur la couverture - Coiffes frottées avec de petites déchirures sans manque - Intérieur bien propre Assez bon ‎

‎Code de la Nature ou le véritable esprit de ses lois 1755 ‎

‎Raymond Clavreuil, 1950, in-8 br., 335 p., publié avec une introduction et des notes par Gilbert Chinard, frontispice, bon état. ‎

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‎Code de la nature ou le véritable esprit de ses lois, de tout temps négligé ou méconnu. [Paperback] MORELLY.‎

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