The Age of the Passions: Interpretation of Adam Smith and Scottish Enlightenment Culture

This study argues that the 18th century, so long regarded as the age of reason, should also be considered the age of passions. Eighteenth-century writers began to explore self-interest, sociability and love, and to manipulate them in ways that would have momentous consequences for the development of Western culture. When carefully cultivated: self-interest led to prudent behaviour and national improvement; sociability contributed to inter-group harmony and national identity; the powerful attraction between the sexes metamorphosed into politics and altruism. Exploring the 18th-century language of the passions in its specifically Scottish context, the author suggests that Scottish writers, such as Allan Ramsay, James Fordyce and James MacPherson were cultural pioneers whose significance goes far beyond the transitory popularity of their literary output. Examiming more lasting thinkers, such as Adam Smith and John Millar, from a radically different perspective, he draws on new connections between the philosophy, social thought, sermons, letters, poetry and epic literature of enlightened Scottish society.John Dwyer is the author of “Virtuous Discourse: Sensibility and Community in Late-Eighteenth-Century Scotland”.