The Democratic Intellect - (Edinburgh Classic Editions) 2nd Edition by George Davie (Paperback)

About the Book

George Davie's revolutionary account of the intellectual movements which set Scotland apart from its neighbours. First published in 1961, it proved seminal in restoring Scotland's appreciation of the value of its cultural identity. Here reissued as an Edinburgh Classic edition to coincide Scotland Independence debate of 2014.

Book Synopsis

An Edinburgh Classic edition of the cornerstone work on Scotland's intellectual identity
First published in 1961, The Democratic Intellect provoked a re-evaluation of Scotland's philosophy of itself. George Davie's account of the history of the movements which set Scotland apart from its neighbours, and of the great personalities involved, has proved seminal in restoring to Scotland a sense of the value of its unique cultural identity.
Scotland's approach to higher education has always been distinctive. From the inauguration of its first universities, the accent was on first principles, and this broad, philosophical interpretation unified the approach to knowledge - even of mathematics and science. The resulting generalist tradition contrasted with the specialism of the two English universities, Oxford and Cambridge. It stood Scotland in good stead, characterising its intellectual life even into the nineteenth century when economic, social and political pressures enforced an increasing conformity to English models.
The Democratic Intellect is rightly a benchmark in Scotland's intellectual heritage and continues to have a marked influence on those now promoting enquiry and improvement within our colleges and universities.
An introduction by Murdo Macdonald and Richard Gunn and a foreword by Lindsay Paterson set the book in context for this Classic Edition, reissued to coincide with the Scotland Independence debate of 2014.
Key Features:
New Edinburgh Classic edition at accessible price New preface and foreword setting the book in context Launches a series of Edinburgh Classics in Scottish History Will contribute to the Independence debate of 2014 Key words:
Scotland, education, history, philosophy, classic, Enlightenment, George Davie
Subject:
Scottish History

From the Back Cover

'Davie offers an insight into some of the more crucial issues of modern times. A truly seminal work in the Scottish intellectual tradition.' James Kelman First published in 1961, The Democratic Intellect provoked a new relationship with Scotland's philosophy of itself. Scotland has always had a distinctive approach to higher education. From the inauguration of its first universities, the accent has been on first principles. This unified the approach to knowledge - even of mathematics and science - through a broad, philosophical interpretation. This generalist tradition, contrasting with the specialism of the two English universities, Oxford and Cambridge, stood Scotland in good stead. It characterised its intellectual life, even into the 19th century, when economic, social and political pressures enforced an increasing conformity to English models. George Davie's account of the history of these movements, and of the great personalities involved, has proved seminal in restoring to Scotland a sense of cultural identity. The Democratic Intellect is rightly regarded as a benchmark in Scotland's intellectual heritage and continues to have a marked influence on those promoting enquiry and improvement within our colleges and universities. George Elder Davie (1912-2007) was one of Scotland's most influential modern philosophers. He was Reader in Logic and Metaphysics at the University of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His other publications include The Crisis of the Democratic Intellect, The Scotch Metaphysics: a Century of Enlightenment in Scotland and two volumes of essays: The Scottish Enlightenment and Other Essays and A Passion for Ideas.

Review Quotes

'A truly seminal work in the Scottish intellectual tradition'--James Kelman

About the Author

George Elder Davie (1912-2007) was one of Scotland's most influential modern philosophers. He was Reader in Logic and Metaphysics at the University of Edinburgh, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Lindsay Paterson is Emeritus Professor of Education Policy, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. His main academic interests are in education, civic engagement and political attitudes. He has contributed to many debates in Scotland since the early 1990s on education, on social change, and on politics. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Richard Gunn is a retired lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. He lectured in political theory in the Department of Politics and, subsequently, the Politics area in the School of Social and Political Studies

Murdo Macdonald is Emeritus Professor of History of Scottish Art at the University of Dundee. He was editor of Edinburgh Review from 1990-1994. He is author of Scottish Art in Thames and Hudson's World of Art series.