Like the winds that we come we know not whence and blow whither soever they list, the forces of society are derived from an obscure and distant origin. They arise before the date of philosophy, from the instincts, not the speculations of men.
Adam Ferguson Quotes
The history of mankind is confined within a limited period, and from every quarter brings an intimation that human affairs have had a beginning.
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| Birth: | 20th June, 1723 |
| Death: | 22nd February, 1816 |
| Nationality: | Scottish |
| Profession: | Historian, Philosopher |
About
Adam Ferguson FRSE, also known as Ferguson of Raith was a Scottish philosopher and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment. Ferguson was sympathetic to traditional societies, such as the Highlands, for producing courage and loyalty. He criticized commercial society as making men weak, dishonourable and unconcerned for their community. Ferguson has been called "the father of modern sociology." In his seventieth year, Ferguson, intending to prepare a new edition of the history, visited Italy and some of the principal cities of Europe, where he was received with honour by learned societies. From 1795 he resided successively at old Neidpath Castle near Peebles, at Hallyards on Manor Water and at St Andrews, where he died on 22 February 1816.
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