This is a past event
In the early 19th-century Scotland produced a group of Evangelical natural historians and natural philosophers with significant international scientific reputations.
Prominent among these was the natural philosopher David Brewster. Brewster had made major contributions to the science of optics and was a leading figure in a number of key British scientific institutions. He was also a committed advocate for the Evangelical Party within the Church of Scotland and actively supported the Evangelicals In their struggle with the Moderates, which was to split the Church in two in 1843.
This paper examines how Brewster, like his fellow scientific evangelicals, fervently promoted the idea that modern science should be on the side of the angels in their conflict with the Moderates.
Like many of the Scottish intellectuals of his time, Brewster was also an heir to the tradition of Common Sense philosophy of Thomas Reid, Dugald Stewart and Thomas Brown, which formed the underpinning to his scientific beliefs and practice.
This paper will also explore how following the style of analogical reasoning advocated by Stewart led Brewster to several startling conclusions that combined his scientific and theological opinions in surprising ways.
- Speaker
- Bill Jenkins, University of St Andrews
- Venue
- via Teams