The Scottish Enlightenment is one of the great achievements of European culture. In philosophy, law, economics, politics, linguistics and the physical sciences, Scots were key players in changing the way the world was viewed. And this explosion of activity still reverberates. It was the age of David Hume, Thomas Reid and Adam Smith, of Adam Ferguson, James Hutton and Sir John Sinclair. In his authoritative introduction, Alexander Broadie emphasises not only the diversity of intellectual discussion taking place in this small country located on the outer edge of Europe, but also the European dimension of this Scottish movement.

After the general introduction, the anthology is arranged thematically - Human Nature, Ethics, Aesthetics, Religion, Economics, Social Theory and Politics, Law, Historiography, Language and Science. These sections gather together well-known and lesser-known writings of the time. Much of the material has not been reprinted since the 18th century. Those with an interest in the Scottish cultural tradition will find many things to hold their attention in this unique book.

An anthology of writings from the time of the Scottish Enlightenment

About the Author
Alexander Broadie holds degrees from the universities of Edinburgh, Oxford, Glasgow and Blaise Pascal (Clermont-Ferrand). He is Honorary Professorial Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at the University of Glasgow. Among his many books are The Circle of John Mair (1985), The Scottish Enlightenment (2001) and A History of Scottish Philosophy (Saltire Society Scottish History Book of the Year 2009). For 2010 - 13 he was the Principal Investigator of a Leverhulme-funded International network 'Scottish philosophers in 17th-century Scotland and France'.


Book Information
ISBN 9780862417383
Author Alexander Broadie
Format Paperback
Page Count 832
Imprint Canongate Books
Publisher Canongate Books
Weight(grams) 545g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 126mm * 35mm