Synopses & Reviews
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
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
An Edinburgh Classic edition of the cornerstone work on Scotland's intellectual identity
'A truly seminal work in the Scottish intellectual tradition' - James Kelman
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 Edinburgh Classic Edition, launched to coincide with the Scotland Independence debate of 2014.
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
About the Author
Murdo Macdonald is Professor of Educational Policy at the University of Edinburgh