Adam Ferguson And The Greek Enlightenment

The Scottish Enlightenment brought upon the advancement of major concepts in society from the arts, science, medicine, and politics. Political ideology was formed through the social sciences and the scientific method that depends on evidence. This interacted with the concept of humans as social beings and was linked theories about morality. Thomas Hobbes believed that people are inherently bad in nature and need government while major Scottish Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Ferguson believe in the inherently good nature of humans and government forming through time. The contractarian theory described connections formed as obligations and contracts between two individuals, however the Enlightenment brought upon social sciences that explored

Ferguson was an early social scientist that was seen as one of the earliest sociologist. He approached morality and political ideologies with a systematic and scientific method. Ferguson describes human nature and where he believes morality is derived from. “If it be true, that men are united by instinct, that they act in society from affections of kindness and friendship; if it be true, that even prior to acquaintance and habitude, men, as such, are commonly to each other objects of attention, and some degree of regard; that while their prosperity is beheld with indifference, their afflictions are considered with commiseration; if calamities be measured by the numbers and the qualities of men they involve; and if every suffering of a fellow-creature draws a croud of attentive spectators; if, even in the case of those to whom we do not habitually wish any positive good, we are still averse to be the instruments of harm; it should seem, that in these various appearances of an amicable disposition, the foundations of a moral apprehension are sufficiently laid, and the sense of a right which we maintain for ourselves, is by a movement of humanity and candour extended to our fellow-creatures,” (Ferguson 1767). This describes how people are brought together through a social nature that is inherently good. This nature seeks to not bring

Contractarian political thought believed that human are inherently bad and need to be governed for peace in society. This prevents conflicts in society as they need laws to have a moral compass. The Scottish Enlightenment brought upon thinkers that believed that people are inherently good in nature and their political ideology and government forms from gradual change in society. The good nature of humans can also be formed through learning from family initially and ultimately through others in society. These are habits and norms that are created to set circumstances without the impact of government. This is done as people desire fitting in and being sociable is a desired trait. These habits become like instincts in society and gain more power. Social change occurs gradually rather than immediately through a contract or government policy change. This occurs over time and forms major social institutions. This also explains the four stage theory that portrays gradual changes to government from hunters to shepherds, agriculture, and then commerce. These changes did not occur do to a contract change, but over time as needs developed. While contractarian political thought brought upon ideology that thought war would be upon people without the government and people interacted with others only for