Universities’ Intellectual Potential as a Factor of the 18th Century Scottish Society Modernization

Abstract

Modernization of society is a process of complex changes taking place in the various interconnected fields of social life. Today the study of the mechanism of modernization processes is at the crossroads of various sciences. There are many factors that can affect the processes. The article discusses the role of the intellectual potential of the universities of the 18th century Scottish society modernization. First of all, by the beginning of the 18th century, reforms were implemented in the Scottish education system. These reforms were an impetus to further society improvement. Protestant ideas and traditions of power forming in religious communities, the mandatory study of philosophy throughout the period of study, the inclusion of legal and moral knowledge in philosophy became important conditions for the revitalization of the university community. The author of the article draws conclusions about the impact of these prerequisites on the dissemination of the discussion practice in universities, as well as in established clubs and societies to improve various aspects of Scottish society, which were often organized by university’s intellectuals. The debatable nature of the training and the activities of the “improvement societies” were factors for the further modernization of education, the economy and the social sphere, as well as the upcoming industrial revolution.