SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT Meaning and
Definition
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The Scottish Enlightenment refers to a significant intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in Scotland during the late 17th and 18th centuries. It was a period of great intellectual flourishing characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and human progress. This intellectual movement had a profound effect on various fields, including philosophy, science, economics, and literature.
At the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment was the belief in the power of reason and the pursuit of knowledge. Scottish thinkers emphasized the importance of empirical observation and the scientific method in understanding the natural and social world. Philosophers like David Hume and Adam Smith played a crucial role in this movement, contributing ideas that challenged traditional beliefs and laid the foundations for modern thought.
The Scottish Enlightenment also had notable contributions in fields beyond philosophy. In economics, Adam Smith's groundbreaking work, "The Wealth of Nations," articulated the concept of free-market capitalism and the invisible hand, greatly influencing economic thought. In literature, figures like Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott celebrated Scottish culture and identity through their writings, contributing to a sense of national pride.
Overall, the Scottish Enlightenment left a lasting impact on the intellectual landscape of Europe and beyond. It was characterized by a spirit of inquiry, rationalism, and the pursuit of knowledge, laying the groundwork for the advancements of the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment period as a whole.
Etymology of SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT
The term "Scottish Enlightenment" refers to a historical period during the 18th and early 19th centuries in Scotland, characterized by intellectual, scientific, and cultural advancements. The word "enlightenment" derives from the Latin word "enlighten", which means to "make light" or to "illuminate". The Scottish Enlightenment was greatly influenced by the broader European Enlightenment movement, which emphasized reason, logic, and progress.
The adjective "Scottish" in the term "Scottish Enlightenment" refers to the geography and people of Scotland, denoting the specific context and location of this intellectual movement. The Scottish Enlightenment was propelled by a group of thinkers and scholars who were primarily based in Scotland and made significant contributions in various fields such as philosophy, economics, science, sociology, and literature.
