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The Enlightenment and Scottish thinkers

Study note

During the 18th century a great flowering of new thinking took place across Europe, and Britain was very much part of it. This period is called the Enlightenment, when fresh ideas about politics, philosophy and science were developed. A central principle of the Enlightenment was that people should be free to hold their own political and religious beliefs rather than have them dictated by the state.

A striking number of the leading Enlightenment thinkers were Scottish. Adam Smith developed ideas about economics that are still referred to today, while David Hume put forward ideas about human nature that continue to influence philosophers. So for the two Scottish thinkers, name Adam Smith and David Hume. Keep them distinct: Smith is the one linked with economics, Hume with human nature.

Memory tip: Enlightenment = new ideas; Adam Smith (economics) and David Hume (philosophy) were Scottish.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4 · choose two

Select TWO leading Scottish thinkers of the Enlightenment.

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Show all questions and answers for The Enlightenment and Scottish thinkers(4 questions with explanations)

The Enlightenment and Scottish thinkers: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Select TWO leading Scottish thinkers of the Enlightenment.

    • Richard Arkwright
    • Adam Smith
    • Isambard Kingdom Brunel
    • David Hume

    Correct answer: Adam Smith and David Hume

    Adam Smith and David Hume were leading Scottish thinkers of the Enlightenment.

  2. 2. Adam Smith developed important ideas about which subject?

    • Music
    • Medicine
    • Astronomy
    • Economics

    Correct answer: Economics

    Adam Smith developed ideas about economics that are still referred to today.

  3. 3. Which Enlightenment thinker is known for ideas about human nature?

    • James Watt
    • David Hume
    • Adam Smith
    • Robert Burns

    Correct answer: David Hume

    David Hume's ideas about human nature continue to influence philosophers.

  4. 4. What was an important principle of the Enlightenment?

    • Science should be banned
    • The state should control all religion
    • Only nobles could have opinions
    • People should be free to hold their own political and religious beliefs

    Correct answer: People should be free to hold their own political and religious beliefs

    The Enlightenment held that people should be free to have their own beliefs.

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