Professors Robison and Playfair, and the Theophobia Gallica : Natural philosophy, religion and politics in Edinburgh, 1789-1815

Abstract

Abstract For obvious reasons the political and social effects of the French Revolution on Britain remain perpetually fascinating to political and social historians. Yet with the exception of the radical minister and natural philosopher Joseph Priestley, its influence on British scientists and institutions devoted to science has not received the attention it deserves. The reason for this neglect is clear: as long as the science of the past is interpreted as being nothing more than ideas and knowledge about the external world of nature then its social and institutional aspects will continue to be disregarded. If, however, past science is viewed as an activity which was socially organized and countenanced, we may expect it to have shown sensitivity in various degrees to some of the diverse elements in its social environment.

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