Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Philosophers
The Scottish philosophical tradition is notable for the very large number of individual scottish philosophers connected with it who, over several centuries, have entered the ranks of philosophical writers of international reputation and enduring interest. Some of these -- such as David Hume and Adam Smith --are amongst the greatest names in intellectual history others less well known are nonetheless major influences in the development of philosophical ideas Francis Hutcheson, Adam Ferguson and Thomas Reid, for example and still others, though largely forgotten now -- are notable for the immense prestige that the enjoyed during their lifetimes for instance Dugald Stewart, Sir William Hamilton, J F Ferrier, Edward Caird or John Macmurray. But almost all of them, both major and minor, have interesting biographies, which is what gives them a place in the biographical dictionary of Scottish philosophers. The aim of the IASP is the compilation of a comprehensive set of informative Scots philosophical biographies. The enlightenment thinkers who can be found among the Scottish philosophers inevitably dominate the list. Yet from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries there are figures who qualify as Scottish philosophers by these criteria. They were educated in the Scottish universities; for the most part went on to teach there; they published philosophical works that attracted considerable attention within and beyond the borders of Scotland. These criteria are restrictive. They cannot incorporate Thomas Carlyle, James Mill or R S Laing, for example. There are some relevant inclusions, however, who never held university posts -- David Hume, Lord Kames, and Hutchison Stirling are notable instances. Their inclusion is warranted by the fact that they were significant contributors to the philosophical debates in the Scotland of their day, and of sufficient enduring interest to warrant continuing discussion. The current list is not complete, and not all the names have biographies attached yet. Suggestions of further names and additional biographical material are most welcome.
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James Hutcheson Stirling (1820-1909) From Scottish Philosophers back to IASP homepage
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