About

In 1997 the University of Aberdeen in Scotland established ‘The Reid Project’ with the purpose of encouraging the study of the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher Thomas Reid (1710-96) who taught philosophy at King’s College Aberdeen in the 18th century. In 2003 The Reid Project was expanded into an established Center for the Study of Scottish Philosophy (CSSP). Under its auspices, the Journal of Scottish Philosophy was founded, a book series launched, and a number of meetings and conferences organized.

The tradition of Scottish Philosophy was first identified as such in a seminal book of that name published in 1874 by James McCosh, President of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. In Spring 2006, the CSSP relocated to Princeton Theological Seminary. In its new location the CSSP expanded its activities. The Journal of Scottish Philosophy, now published on behalf of Princeton Theological Seminary by Edinburgh University Press, devotes one issue a year to a special theme with a guest editor. Both current and back issues have been online since January 2008. Ten further volumes have been added to the Library of Scottish Philosophy. The conference and workshop program has been continued and extended. Building on the legacy of McCosh and the unrivalled resources offered by the University’s Firestone Library and Princeton Seminary Library, now in its magnificent new building, the CSSP initiated a major multi-authored, multi volume history of Scottish philosophy, the first two volumes of which will be published by Oxford University Press in 2015.

The CSSP was directed by Gordon Graham, Henry Luce III Professor of Philosophy and the Arts at Princeton Seminary until Spring 2018. He was founding editor of the Journal of Scottish Philosophy, Series Editor of the Library of Scottish Philosophy, and General Editor of the Oxford History of Scottish Philosophy. Details of his activities and publications in Scottish philosophy can be found on his personal website.

In April of 2018, the CSSP merged with the International Association for Scottish Philosophy to form the Institute for the Study of Scottish Philosophy at the University of Sioux Falls, directed by Dr. James Foster. The Journal of Scottish Philosophy continues to be published under its auspices. The ISSP also continues to schedule yearly conferences on topics related to Scottish Philosophy.

The ISSP issues regular electronic newsletters with information of events, activities and publications. To be included on the ISSP email list email issp@usiouxfalls.edu.

To become a member of the ISSP, visit EUP's website here.