The Scottish Enlightenment - Alexander Broadie

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.