The Scottish Enlightenment

The Scottish Enlightenment was a period in the 18th century when Scotland experienced a surge in intellectual and cultural growth. Thinkers like David Hume, Adam Smith, and Thomas Reid explored ideas about philosophy, economics, and human nature, emphasizing reason, science, and evidence-based thinking. This movement fostered innovations in education, government, and society, helping to shape modern concepts of free markets, skepticism of authority, and moral philosophy. Overall, it was a time when Scottish scholars significantly contributed to Western knowledge, promoting critical thinking and progress across various fields.