July 23, 2004
WHERE'S BOSWELL?:
The 10 greatest Scots of all time (John Blundell, Adam Smith Institute)
Here is my list of the 10 greatest Scots of all time. Of course, there are infinite criteria on which one might base such a list, but since this is my list, I have chosen the following: those writers and thinkers who have contributed most to our appreciation of human nature, our understanding of society and, of course, our ongoing quest to live in freedom.
One would like to see Hume, who debunked the Age of Reason at its dawn and greatly influenced the Founding, placed higher.
Posted by Orrin Judd at July 23, 2004 8:10 AM
I would have included Old Tom Morris and the guy who invented Scotch whiskey.
Posted by: Foos at July 23, 2004 11:41 AMHow can they possibily omit James Clerk Maxwell?
Posted by: jd watson at July 23, 2004 12:08 PMStrange how an institute dedicated to innovation and enterprise could forget James Watt and many, many other inventors and discoverers. And what about John Knox?
Posted by: Peter B at July 23, 2004 12:47 PMAh John Knox, the Author of "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women."
And Bobbie Burns. But my vote goes to the the guy nominated by Foos. The inventor of the Water of Life, He truly was the benefactor of all mankind.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at July 23, 2004 4:49 PMI sent in James Clerk Maxwell as well (not showing up in the comments yet). I agree - one of the greatest scientists ever. The list is short on scientists, of which Scotland has produced many.
I see Foos beat me to it. And Knox? He was nowhere without Andrew Melville.
Posted by: jsmith at July 23, 2004 11:23 PMOrrin's admiration for Hume, who demolished religion, always puzzles me.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at July 24, 2004 3:16 PMHume leaves us with nothing but faith.
Posted by: oj at July 24, 2004 4:20 PMAny old one as good as another, though.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at July 24, 2004 9:55 PMAs provable, not as good.
Posted by: oj at July 24, 2004 11:21 PMYou say we cannot even prove our existence, yet you think one faith can be proven better than another.
That's self-contradictory.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at July 26, 2004 12:33 AMNo, it isn't. I think faith sufficient. Soi do you, your faith is just in Reason as wholly explanatory.
Posted by: oj at July 26, 2004 7:05 AM