Wise, Isaac Mauer. The Cosmic God, A Fundamental Philosophy in Popular Lectures.

AUCTION 40 | Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 33
(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

Wise, Isaac Mauer. The Cosmic God, A Fundamental Philosophy in Popular Lectures.

Frontispiece photographic portrait of the author. pp. (1),181. Bookplate of previous owner. Original boards, worn, spine starting Singerman 2603

Cincinnati: Office American Israelite and Deborah 1876

Est: $300 - $500
Isaac Mayer Wise was born in Steingrub, Bohemia, in 1819 and immigrated to America in 1846. At first, a rabbi in Albany, in 1854 he moved to Cincinnati. There he established the institutional structure of American Reform Judaism: The Union of American Hebrew Congregations and The Hebrew Union College. Wise was an articulate writer and converant with all the contemporary theologians and philosophers. His demolition of Darwinism is especially noteworthy (See pp. 47-69). He states that " from a moral point of view the Darwinian hypothesis on the descent of man is the most pernicious that could possibly advanced…it robs man of his dignity…" (p. 50)