Adam Ferguson Scottish philosopher and historian Date of Birth: 20.06.1723 Country: Great Britain

1. Adam Ferguson: Scottish Philosopher and Historian
2. His Major Work: "Essay on the History of Civil Society"
3. Influence and Approach
4. Critique of Pragmatism
5. Rethinking the Origins of States

Adam Ferguson: Scottish Philosopher and Historian

Adam Ferguson was a Scottish philosopher and historian who was born in 1723. He became a professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh and was known as a teacher of Adam Smith.

His Major Work: "Essay on the History of Civil Society"

In 1766, Ferguson published his major work titled "Essay on the History of Civil Society." Although his writing style was criticized for being verbose and heavy, it contained several strong and fruitful ideas. Ferguson can be regarded as one of the pioneers of positivist and sociological attempts to empirically and constructively understand the development of human societies from primitive stages to higher cultures under the influence of universal laws.

Influence and Approach

Ferguson drew inspiration from Montesquieu and David Hume, emphasizing the importance of instinct in the emergence of society. He also incorporated the method of Lafitau, comparing his findings with Tacitus's accounts of ancient Germans and the ancient narratives about early Rome and Sparta. Ferguson demonstrated a unique understanding of the transformation of social forms resulting from growing social differentiation. Alongside positivist tendencies, he expressed significant ideas that led to historicism.

Critique of Pragmatism

Influenced by Hume's teachings on instincts, Ferguson strongly opposed the conventional pragmatism that sought to explain the origins and changes in political formations through conscious human motives. According to Ferguson, the origins of social institutions lie in a dark and distant past, emerging from natural inclinations rather than speculative human constructions. He compared this process to navigating in darkness, where people groped their way towards institutions that were not preconceived but arose as consequences of their actions. In this regard, Ferguson echoed Oliver Cromwell's words that humans never rise higher than when they don't know where they are going.

Rethinking the Origins of States

As a result, the theory of the formation of states through social contracts collapsed in Ferguson's eyes. He believed that the structures of Rome and Sparta, which were the favorite subjects of pragmatic observations on the state, were not based on the plans of individual personalities but on the situation in which the people and their geniuses found themselves.

Adam Ferguson's works laid the foundation for modern sociological and historical approaches by emphasizing the role of instincts, natural inclinations, and the complex dynamics of societal development. His ideas continue to be influential in the fields of philosophy, sociology, and history.