The Scottish Enlightenment: Human Nature, Social Theory and Moral Philosophy: Essays in Honour of Christopher J. Berry

The Scottish Enlightenment transformed modernity by exploring commercial society, human nature, and the modern political economy, making significant contributions to these fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The Scottish Enlightenment was a period of immense intellectual and cultural growth that had a profound impact on modernity. This collection of 11 specially commissioned essays explores three central themes that shaped the Scottish Enlightenment: the Scots pioneering conception of commercial society, the equally pioneering development of the Scots ‘science of human nature, and the emergence of the modern political economy.

The Scots pioneering conception of commercial society was a key aspect of the Scottish Enlightenment. The Scots believed that commerce was not just a means of making money but also a means of promoting social and economic progress. They argued that commerce could create new jobs, increase productivity, and improve the quality of life for people. This belief led to the development of a number of important economic institutions, such as the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Scottish Enlightenment.

The Scots ‘science of human nature was another important theme of the Scottish Enlightenment. The Scots believed that human nature was not fixed but could be improved through education and self-improvement. They developed a number of important scientific theories, such as the theory of evolution, the theory of natural selection, and the theory of the mind. These theories helped to shape the modern worldview and have had a lasting impact on science and society.

The emergence of the modern political economy was a third important theme of the Scottish Enlightenment. The Scots believed that the government should play a role in promoting economic growth and prosperity. They developed a number of important economic policies, such as free trade, limited government, and the rule of law. These policies helped to create a more prosperous and stable society.

In conclusion, the Scottish Enlightenment was a period of immense intellectual and cultural growth that had a profound impact on modernity. This collection of 11 specially commissioned essays explores three central themes that shaped the Scottish Enlightenment: the Scots pioneering conception of commercial society, the equally pioneering development of the Scots ‘science of human nature, and the emergence of the modern political economy. These themes continue to be important today and have had a lasting impact on the world.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 230 x 154 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474467322