Studies in the Philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment: (I Oxford Studies in the History of Philosophy)

This is the first volume of the series Oxford Studies in the History of Philosophy. Each volume of the series is organized around a particular theme, and is cross-disciplinary in its approach. In this collection of substantial new studies in Scottish Philosophy in the age of Hutcheson and Hume, close attention is given to the study of context and the use of original historical sources as a key to philosophical interpretation. The collection includes revolutionary research on Hume's early reading in science and religion and its impact on his philosophy.

Table of Contents:
M. A. Stewart: Introduction; Roger L. Emerson: Science and Moral Philosophy in the Scottish Enlightenment; James Moore: The Two Systems of Francis Hutcheson: On the Origins of the Scottish Enlightenment; Knud Haakonssen: Natural Law and Moral Realism: The Scottish Synthesis; Richard B. Sher: Professors of Virtue: The Social History of the Edinburgh Moral Philosophy Chair in the Eighteenth Century; P. B. Wood: Science and the Pursuit of Virtue in the Aberdeen Enlightenment; Michael Barfoot: Hume and the Culture of Science in the Early Eighteenth Century; David Wootton: Hume's `Of Miracles': Probability and Irreligion; David R. Raynor: Hume and Berkeley's Three Dialogues; John P. Wright: Metaphysics and Physiology: Mind, Body, and the Animal Economy in Eighteenth-Century Scotland; John W. Yolton: Reviews of: Scepticism and Reasonable Doubt by M. Jamie Ferreira and The Mind of God and the Works of Man by Edward Craig

About the Author :
M. A. Stewart is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Lancaster, but does not want his affiliation listed in publicity materials. Refer to him as Editor of Oxford Studies in Philosophy. 1993 - new affiliation is Professor of the History of Philosophy, University of Lancaster

Review :
`In a striking paragraph the editor dismisses the typical "history of philosophy" as "vicarious and unmemorable philosophical exercises of an entirely modern kind, fought out round a narrow, generally derivative, and frequently fanciful picture of at least one dead philosopher". What are substituted here are detailed, painstaking approaches to interpretation through the study of a wide variety of primary sources ... adds greatly to our understanding of the period.'Times Literary Supplement 'they pay careful attention to the changes in moral theory ... clear and well focused' G.J. Dalcourt, Seton Hall University, Choice, Dec '90 'densely detailed scholarship, packed with references to primary and secondary sources ... fine scholarship is manifest throughout these essays' J.C.A. Gaskin, Trinity College, Dublin, Hermathera 'an interesting and valuable volume' D.D. Raphael, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Eighteenth-Century Scotland, No.4, (Spring 1990) 'of real present import ... the virtue of Dr Hope's book is at the start in establishing the different perspectives of his 18th century authors, and at the end arguing a modern moral philosophy clearly demonstrating that his chosen authors belong by no means to the past.' Robert Calder, Chapman, no 67 'According to the editor, M.A. Stewart, the Scottish Enlightenment became the flagship subject for this new series because of tis current standing as a lively growth area of scholarship and controversy. Both are amply present in the volume. The collection offers new and revisionary scholarship in specialized areas rather than comprehensive coverage ... well-balanced and important volume.' S.L. Manning, Newnham College, Cambridge `superbly planned and meticulously edited volume' English Historical Review