The Scottish Enlightenment and the politics of abolition
This thesis examines the relationship between Scottish Enlightenment philosophy and Abolitionist activism. This work asserts that Scottish philosophers opposed legislative Abolition, and that Henry Dundasâs âgradualâ amendment to Wilberforceâs 1792 Slave Trade bill was partly motivated by fear of radical change. This amendment has been acknowledged by many as the reason the Slave Trade was allowed to continue, despite public disapprobation, until 1807. First, by examining the writings of those Scottish Enlightenment thinkers critical of slavery, this work demonstrates that their ideas were largely theoretical and lacked engagement with the problem of slavery in British society. Second, in examining why, when their writings against slavery have been so lauded, they made so little a direct contribution to the Abolitionist movement, this thesis explores the Scottish Enlightenment theory of spontaneous order in the generation of social institutions. Drawing upon the warnings of some of these Scottish literati, this thesis will argue that their belief in spontaneous order encouraged them to view any attempt at altering social structures (such as the Slave Trade) through legislation as dangerous innovations
Doris, Glen Ian
Enlightenment ; Abolitionists
The Scottish Enlightenment and the politics of abolition. This thesis examines the relationship between Scottish Enlightenment philosophy and Abolitionist activism. This work asserts that Scottish philosophers opposed legislative Abolition, and that Henry Dundasâs âgradualâ amendment to Wilberforceâs 1792 Slave Trade bill was partly motivated by fear of radical change. This amendment has been acknowledged by many as the reason the Slave Trade was allowed to continue, despite public disapprobation, until 1807. First, by examining the writings of those Scottish Enlightenment thinkers critical of slavery, this work demonstrates that their ideas were largely theoretical and lacked engagement with the problem of slavery in British society. Second, in examining why, when their writings against slavery have been so lauded, they made so little a direct contribution to the Abolitionist movement, this thesis explores the Scottish Enlightenment theory of spontaneous order in the generation of social institutions. Drawing upon the warnings of some of these Scottish literati, this thesis will argue that their belief in spontaneous order encouraged them to view any attempt at altering social structures (such as the Slave Trade) through legislation as dangerous innovations
scottish_enlightenment politics abolition examines_relationship scottish_enlightenment philosophy abolitionist activism work assert scottish philosopher oppose legislative abolition henry gradual amendment slave_trade bill partly motivate fear radical_change amendment acknowledge many reason slave_trade allow continue despite public first_examine writing scottish_enlightenment thinker critical slavery work demonstrates idea largely theoretical lack engagement problem slavery british_society second examine writing slavery laud make little direct abolitionist movement explore scottish_enlightenment theory spontaneous order generation social_institution drawing_upon scottish argue belief spontaneous order encourage view attempt alter social_structure slave_trade legislation dangerous innovation