Roger L. Emerson has written:

'Essays on David Hume, medical men, and the Scottish Enlightenment' -- subject(s): Enlightenment, Intellectual life, Scottish Philosophy

Adam Smith was a Scottish moral philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Adam Smith is best known for two classic works: The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776).

In addition to the French, there was a very significant Scottish Enlightenment (key figures were Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Thomas Reid) and a very significant German Enlightenment (die Aufklärung, key figures of which include Christian Wolff, Moses Mendelssohn, G.E.

Although Madison was influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, he was not like the admirers of the Enlightenment who held overwhelming faith in human nature, and believed that all evil was the result of social problems. Instead, he thoroughly understood the limits of human nature. He favored the Scottish enlightenment thoughts of David Hume, who believed that stability from social conflict can be achieved by balancing class against class.

David Hume was a Scottish philosopher known for his empiricist and skeptical views that challenged traditional beliefs. He was a key figure in the Enlightenment period, promoting ideas such as empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism. His works, such as "A Treatise of Human Nature" and "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding," had a significant influence on the development of Enlightenment philosophy.