"Philosophy, science, politics, history, and theology -- the range of Joseph Priestley's intellect was wide, and its current ran deep. Priestley (1733-1804) is noted equally as a founder of modern chemistry, a discoverer of oxygen, a dissenter against religious and political intolerance, and as a defender of civil liberties. This unique, one-volume selection from Priestley's voluminous writings provides a full and coherent picture of his thought in all areas. Selections have been made from his The Doctrine of Philosophical Necessity Illustrated, Disquisitions Relating to Matter and Spirit, Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air, Lectures on History and General Policy, An Essay on the First Principles of Government, Letters to the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, The History and Present State of Electricity, etc. In his Introduction Professor Passmore relates Priestley's various interests one to another and stresses the pertinence of his work today. He has also provided a selected bibliography of Priestley's writings and of the writings about him."--The publisher