Sunday, January 22, 2012

James Wilson & the Scottish Enlightenment

Keeping with our James Wilson theme, I just found this what looks to be very cool article from U. Penn. on James Wilson. I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

6 comments:

Jason Pappas said...

Enjoyable detour on Scottish history! I didn't realize the importance of Latin Law in Scottish history.

I'm still confused about how the traditional Calvinist "moral depravity" could evolve into a benevolent "moral sense" view of innate ethnical knowledge. The author implies the turning point came when "In the early 1730s one of the Moderates, the Glasgow Professor of Divinity, John Simson, caused a scandal when he taught that God was not merely just, but also loving, and furthermore encouraged his students to think for themselves."

In any case, it's enjoyable to read about Wilson's background in natural law, Roman law, and the Scottish Enlightenment.

Phil Johnson said...

Great item.
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Phil Johnson said...

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Some history on America's Scottish roots should be required at the high school level. This is a very interesting article. Print it out and read it at your leisure. It is well worth it.

Daniel said...

Jason,
I don't know the history well enough to identify a turning point. But, during the 17th and 18th centuries, English universities generally did not accept dissenters as scholars. Being people by dissenters (Presbyterians, to be specific), the Scottish universities tended to be open to dissenters (Presbytierian, Enlightenment, and maybe others). This created environments, such as at Aberdeen, where new approaches were going to emerge. Relatively conservative Presbyterianswere applying the tools of Newton to everything. At some point, this ferment of ideas couldn't sustain Total Depravity, even within a mostly conservative Presbyterian environment.

Phil Johnson said...

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I'm reading the link in my spare time.
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It is extremely interesting. I am learning that the Scots bore a great influence on American society.
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I enjoy reading information that helps me learn about America's roots into deeper history.
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It's good that this site is growing to be less stressful.
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Phil Johnson said...

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I am finding this article to be very important to my understanding about what is going on in the world today.
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The article points out how the Scottish Enlightenment grew out of changes that were taking place on the continent and in conjunction with the succession in the monarchy that was affecting the relationship betweent he Scots and the English, seasoned by struggles among the Scot Highlanders and Lowlanders.
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Seeing that coming together in America's Foundations is very enlightening in regards to what is going on in the world today regarding relationships building around the globe.
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If you haven't read the link, you owe it to yourself to do so.
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