Disputing Hobbes’ 'Leviathan' on Universities. No U.S. copies.

[Thomas Hobbes] / [Leviathan] / [Political Philosophy] / [Education] / Adam Rechenberg / Johann Neumann. De Origine Et Usu Scholarum, Contra Thomae Hobbesii Leviathanis Cap. XLVI. Lipsiae: typis Christophori Fleischeri, 1684. 4to [18.7 x 16.0 cm], [18] ff., [1] f. blank, with woodcut initial. Paper strip covering spine, manuscript numeration at top corner of title suggests that the item once formed part of a composite volume. Only minor toning, well preserved.
 
  
Rare (no U.S. copies) first and only edition of this 1684 treatise disputing a portion of Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651; Latin ed. 1668), namely Hobbes’ assessment of the history and contemporary role of universities (Chapter 46, “Of Darknesse from Vain Philosophy, and Fabulous Traditions”).
 
In Chapter 46 of Leviathan, Hobbes took a dim view of universities and their curriculum (‘The Schoole Of Graecians Unprofitable,’ ‘The Schools Of The Jews Unprofitable,’ ‘Errors Brought Into Religion From Aristotle’s Metaphysiques,’ ‘Errors Concerning Abstract Essences,’ ‘Absurdities In Naturall Philosophy, As Gravity The Cause Of Heavinesse,’ etc.). Here Adam Rechenberg (1642-1721) of Leipzig University vehemently disagrees with Hobbes’ sketch. Rechenberg focuses on the Hebrew origin of universities, the rectitude of Christian learning, and the efficacy of a scholastic curriculum. He does this while generally recognizing the importance of Hobbes, calling him “Vir portentosi ingenii” (“a Man of portentous genius”) (f. [2r.]).
 
 
OCLC and KVK locate no U.S. copies of this title.
 
*VD17 1:046235Q