Socrate Overo dell’Humano Sapere

LUZZATTO, SIMONE

Tomasini

Venice

1651

FIRST EDITION. Engraved title vignette of insect emerging from shell

“Written in dialogue form with Socrates as the principle interlocutor, [the work] is an attempt to demonstrate that human reason is impotent unless assisted by revelation...[Luzzatto] shows a considerable degree of competence in philosophy and in the classical literature...and is a remarkable exemplification of the degree of culture prevailing at the time in the Italian ghettos.” (EJ, XI col.607). Luzzatto (1583-1663) was appointed senior Rabbi of Venice following the death of Leone Modena. Among his responsa was one (no longer preserved) which permitted travel by gondola in Venice on the Sabbath. See S. Luzzatto, Ma’amar al Yehudei Venezia (1951) pp.21-5