The Democratic Intellect: Scotland and her Universities in the Nineteenth Century (Edinburgh Classic Editions)

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 nineteenth 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. Originally published in 1961, The Democratic Intellect has had a marked -and acknowledged - influence on the thinking of those in power in higher education, and indeed upon the subsequent planning of several of the new universities, not only in Scotland. Professor David Daiches called it "timely and provocative". So it remains today. -- Provided by publisher 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 The Democratic Intellect 3 FOREWORD 5 CONTENTS 7 INTRODUCTORY ESSAY 8 Note to Second Edition 17 PART I UNIVERSITY POLITICS 18 1 The Presbyterian Inheritance 19 2 The First Assault of 1826 42 3 Lorimer and the 1858 Commission 57 4 1889: Surrender or Compromise? 92 PART II THE CRISIS IN SCIENCE 119 5 The 1838 Contest for the Edinburgh Mathematical Chair 120 6 Mathematics without Metaphysics 142 7 Geometry or Algebra? 165 8 The Humanistic Bias of Scottish Science 184 PART III THE CRISIS IN CLASSICS 216 9 The Vernacular Basis of Scottish Humanism 217 10 Blood and Culture 236 PART IV FERRIER AND COMMON SENSE 266 11 A Metropolis of Common Sense 267 12 Tensions in the Scottish Intellectual Camps 284 13 The Alienation of Common Sense 298 14 The Thirty Years War 325 NOTES 351 Part I. University Politics 351 Chapter 1. The Presbyterian Inheritance 351 Chapter 2. The First Assault of 1826 352 Chapter 3. Lorimer and the 1858 Commission 353 Chapter 4. 1889: Surrender or Compromise 355 Part II. The Crisis in Science 357 Chapter 5. The 1838 Contest for the Edinburgh Mathematical Chair 357 Chapter 6. Mathematics without Metaphysics 359 Chapter 7. Geometry or Algebra? 360 Chapter 8. The Humanistic Bias of Scottish Science 362 Part III. The Crisis in Classics 363 Chapter 9. The Vernacular Basis of Scottish Humanism 363 Chapter 10. Blood and Culture 365 Part IV. Ferrier and Common Sense 367 Chapter 11. A Metropolis of Common Sense 367 Chapter 12. Tensions in the Scottish Intellectual Camps 367 Chapter 13. The Alienation of Common Sense 368 Chapter 14. The Thirty Years War 369 INDEX 371 A 371 B 371 C 372 D 374 E 374 F 375 G 375 H 376 I 377 J 377 K 378 L 378 M 378 N 379 O 380 P 380 R 381 S 382 T 383 U 383 V 384 W 384 Y 384 Z 384 AT the Union of 1707, the Scots virtually gave up their political and economic independence, but retained the right to follow their national usage in religion, law and education.