The Philosophy of Civilization
Albert Schweitzer
📚 Genre
Philosophy - Ethics & Social Philosophy
🏢 Publisher
Macmillan
📅 Publication Year
1923 (original English edition)
🔢 ISBN
Not applicable (antique edition predating modern ISBN system)
About This Book
A profound philosophical work examining the decay and restoration of civilization, introducing Schweitzer's famous ethical concept of 'Reverence for Life'. The physical book visible is a brown cloth-bound hardcover with gilt lettering and publisher stamping on the spine.
Book Details
Language
English (translated from German)
Pages
347
Edition
First English Edition / Hardcover
Series
Standalone work (comprising The Decay and Restoration of Civilization and Civilization and Ethics)
Target Audience
Academic and General Adult Audience
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. Visible wear includes fraying and splitting along the cloth spine hinge, fading, and shelf wear typical of an early 20th-century cloth-bound book.
Estimated Value
$15-$45
Rarity
Uncommon. While early editions are frequently found in specialized antique shops or online marketplaces, copies in intact condition with sound bindings are increasingly sought after by philosophy collectors.
Historical Significance
Highly significant work by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Albert Schweitzer, establishing his core philosophical framework of 'Reverence for Life' which heavily influenced modern environmentalism and bioethics.
Collector Notes
Pay close attention to the structural integrity of the spine cloth, as early Macmillan bindings from this era are prone to splitting. Store in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the brown cloth cover. Dust jacket is absent, which significantly impacts high-end collector value.
Similar Books
The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud, The Quest of the Historical Jesus by Albert Schweitzer
Notable Features
Early Macmillan edition spine typography, classic cloth binding