The Democratic Intellect: Scotland and Her Universities in the Nineteenth Century

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.

Reviews of The Democratic Intellect: Scotland and Her Universities in the Nineteenth Century

One of the seminal books in the move towards a new Scottish enlightenment and the development, from the ground up, of a live, expansive culture. One of the seminal books in the move towards a new Scottish enlightenment and the development, from the ground up, of a live, expansive culture.