Uncancelled History with Douglas Murray | EP. 09 The Enlightenment

Henry Clark and Douglas Murray delve into the depths of the Enlightenment era, exploring the ideas of renowned philosophers from Hume and Montesquieu. Should the age of enlightenment stay cancelled?
Uncancelled History re-evaluates events, people, and ideas that have otherwise been cancelled from the past. Learn more at www.uncancelledhistory.com
Douglas Murray is a British author and political commentator, who - along with his guests - looks at great figures of the past through their historical context.
Check out exclusive nebulous media content:
Website - bit.ly/3UzEGRT
Instagram - bit.ly/3O3kLIT
Twitter - bit.ly/3GdGr34
KZbin - bit.ly/3gkXqWz
#enlightenment #philosophy #dougasmurray

[@randomcommenteronyoutube1055]

Douglas, this series is awesome. I wait for them every week. I'm a graduate student at a US med school on the academic job market. Maybe I should take a hint from Hume and just refuse to apply to places that require me to submit diversity statements professing my commitment to their zealotry.

[@joshuataylor3550]

Kermit the frog

[@foxtrotjulietbravo5536]

I know I wouldn't. (But I'm a bloody Scot!)

[@drewu3661]

This is so valuable and absolutely necessary. Douglas, thank you for filling the void.

[@bradenrodriguez5183]

don't write about it. do it.

[@edcotterjr1926]

Yes please stand up to their compliance demands. Your future patients need you.

[@Waldvogel45]

in plain English this is bloody marvellous. Best of both sides of the Pond, Minds at Work, so Road Open. More PLEASE. worth seeing more than twice !!!!!Thank you and Henry Clark.

[@Vignanello555]

Prof. Clark's summation of David Hume fits this series succinctly: "Where the world of intellect meets the world of conversation." Thanks, Douglas, for bring us the best forum of conservative thought since "Firing Line".

[@staninjapan07]

Thank you so much. What is astounding as that such a series is not simply called "History." That it has become necessary to present a conversation on history with the prefix "Uncancelled" tells us how far we have fallen.

[@pedroproenca4613]

Muito Bom! Thank you Mr Murray for spreading knowledge. Also for your fight and courage in defending our civilisation!

[@bettycockman2138]

Douglas is the only person doing this for us . Brilliant combo of insight on cultural issues today and history erudition .... so appreciated from Down Under.

[@markmakallister4653]

Best series, thank you Douglas!

[@LogicSpeaks]

Wonderful talk - I wish this was taught in high schools. But that’s unlikely. I remember my “writing teacher” took us to hooters because two idiots suggested it. Unbelievable bullshit. She probably set us all back a few IQ points back.

[@manusha1349]

This was especially good! More of an education than anything you can learn at university these days. Well done Douglas and Prof Clark 👏🏽

[@paulfrancis4227]

Well, what the good professor said of Hume is, mostly, in any version of his texts’ introductions penned by some academic professor. Yes a good discussion, but read Hume (or I suppose listen to him now 🙂) That’d do much much better

[@paramidge8935]

Absolutely the best advice - we cannot and should not rely, solely, on third hand internet punditry, no matter how eloquent, it will always be partial to some extent (although Professor Clark is impressive in his erudition here). Go to the original. @@paulfrancis4227

[@lane99]

@24:40-26:27 This excerpt alone is worth the price of admission.

[@kangsun201]

This is such a good series. Thank you Douglas. I hope we see more like this. I can't click fast enough when a new episode pops up in my notifications.

[@pathaley9106]

Forgot to fawn over the deep knowledge of Henry Clark, brilliant and sincere 😘👌👍

[@timtsouchlos5654]

Fantastic series. This episode, if possible, has raised the bar even further in terms of insight and perspective on key historical figures and their lasting contribution to society. Thank you Douglas for this content. I definitely see myself rewatching this series.

[@nocount1]

Thank you for this cogent overview and for introducing me to Professor Clark.

[@afterthesmash]

The most useful hour I've spent on KZbin in six months. I've been thinking intensely about Marx and Maxwell being almost exact contemporaries and how Marx busied himself getting social causality hopelessly wrong in a new, improved way, while Maxwell busied himself with getting systemic causality right at such a deep level that much of his contribution has yet to penetrate general consciousness.

[@jonathanspencer4834]

A fantastic, high quality production. Excellent work all round.

[@highseasailing8624]

Thank you so much for these discussions. A new enlightenment is needed in order to create true tolerance again. These troubles times a a reminder to me of how well we who grew up in the 70’s had life. We must be thankful and be honest to our past so as to make the most of our futures. But it is so important not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

[@peteratkinson922]

Agreed.

[@peterjodonovan2025]

Such eloquent and measured discussion, superb

[@slim1one]

I’m so happy to have found this series. Love Douglas Murray and everything he puts forward is if interest to me.

[@katrindeforth7963]

Great episode. Love the whole series. Please continue after the 10th episode. Truly appreciate them. 👍 Thank you 🙏

[@paramidge8935]

Ignore what Professor Henry Clark has to say at your peril. This episode is hugely encouraging. Time and time again here, we can observe Murray's attempt to draw the aims and the legacy of the enlightenment down, to rather simplistic notions of an imaginary, beneficent 'free trade', 'American dream' version of our historical reality. The good Professor responds, politely but with a broad and largely impartial clarification of the subject. Listen carefully and with focus Ladies and Gents. Then, as but one example from this fascinating account, compare the 'Mercantilism' (as exemplified by the English and Dutch East India Companies - the pro-generative 'corporations') that Adam Smith railed against, with the increasingly monopolistic 'corporate' scene that ravages and controls so many of our nations today. Professor Clark you are 'truly' erudite. Thanks to Mr. Murray for the interview.

[@thanksfernuthin]

Your confusion about why David Hume could hold that belief... confuses me. That's the way it looked to him with the information he had at hand. He wasn't trying to be rude or mean. He looked at it analytically, saw the disparity of advancement and came to his conclusion. We have much more information now and know it to be a fallacy. Let's not pretend we'd think any differently with the same information. That's a much worse fallacy we cling to in order to make ourselves feel superior. (Loving this series by the way. But it's always where you disagree that the passion exists.)

[@thefarmer828]

How could you possibly know his intentions whether he meant it measly or rudely

[@thanksfernuthin]

@@thefarmer828 By his other works.

[@NeilWMitchell]

Sublime. Every word is enjoyable.

[@greyforge27]

They demonstrate very well the right attitude towards history. Laughing at the foibles of historical individuals, because no one is perfect. Taking broad issues seriously but not people. Edit: I think if you even start with the assumption that it's possible to morally judge people from history, you're going to miss everything. It's not really right or feasible to judge the people you know in your personal life, much less a figure like Julius Caesar or George Washington.

[@mikestacyemett5914]

As always, magnificent. Your moments on Free Market v. Capitalism helped clarify a few things as I grapple with a PhD comp question regarding capitalism and the American South. Keep these going!

[@user-jk8nx9hf9g]

Rich Men North of Richmond caused the War of Northern Aggression.

[@kcsunshine4008]

I really appreciate these talks. Thank you Douglas Murray

[@mmadden90]

Love your work Douglas! My only criticism is that all of these conversations feel like they could and should go for hours...

[@stephencollinson2334]

I was thinking the same!

[@jarthur5094]

The enlightenment. What an amazing period and accomplishment. Almost as amazing as the pre-Socratics.

[@dylanshearsbyart]

Great series, I can't wait to listen to the rest!

[@ShaneCopp]

Great series, Douglas. Your passion for exploring and showcasing such subjects is a boon to all. Keep them coming and I'll keep watching!

[@son_of_thor8448]

These have to be longer!! Amazing guests and a wonderful flow, but I keep wanting more. Amazing work

[@FromFame]

Loved this, thank you both

[@ronnestman4696]

Excellent work as always Mr. Murray. I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion.

[@josephllinas2672]

I am in love with this series Douglas I look forward to every episode. Please do more than 10

[@willosee]

Douglas yet another tremendous episode, thank you.

[@angelachristie2803]

New to you and thoroughly enjoyed this Douglas ! Looking forward to more ❤️ Thank you 😊

[@wprv1]

Thank you for this incredible contribution to the debate of our time.

[@alanaadams7440]

This series is great. Thank you 😊

[@highseasailing8624]

I adore this series! Thank you!

[@hankchinaski4075]

I've really loved this series Douglas well played old chap.

[@marc21091]

Excellent discussion - watch to the very end.

[@boomerang1125]

Douglas, I don't know if you read any of these comments but I've watched all your Uncancelled interviews and they're all excellent. I hope you continue doing this series. Thanks.

[@stephencollinson2334]

Douglas, thank you for bringing this pabulum of educated and balanced minds to us. Please thank them for the life time of effort and wrestling with evidence, which enables them able to share their findings with us. Now that is a privilege!

[@Jared_Albert]

Thank you so much for your fascinating series of “traditional” history interviews

[@jamesboekbinder3967]

Great series!

[@shutupandance]

Brilliant job, thank you!

[@margaretmeyncke3592]

Thank you. What a wonderful discussion! ❤

[@jeromedenis100]

I love this series, thank you Douglas!

[@fz7937]

The Enlightenment was probably the most important inflection point in human history since the Agricultural Revolution of about 10000 BC. Thanks to Douglas and Prof. Clark for the additional enlightenment.

[@paulcollins557]

Simply brilliant!

[@SorenAraujo]

I'm so grateful that I get to see this 🙏

[@josearmandovivero408]

What an amazing series! It is truly remarkable the difference between learning history in school, which is quite unbearable, in comparison with this series which feels like you are traveling through time. Thank you!

[@daviddobies2993]

Great programs. Thanks

[@sisiphas]

A superb series. Thank you

[@siajaan]

Thank you Douglas, a meaningful discussion very illuminating for ordinary people like myself.

[@tjflash60]

Great series and a great interview.

[@raureladams7048]

Great series. If I may submit a bit of friendly criticism: The lighting seems different in this episode (too overexposed), and the video-quality inferior to that of previous episodes. I hope you find a setting you are happy with, but personally I thought the original settings were great.

[@austinfriend359]

great series all of them have been great

[@josefigueiredo8022]

So much leaning from this series, for those like me who are curious but not academics 🤷‍♂️

[@bradhernandez8841]

The concept of the show is phenomenal but we also need a concrete understanding of why attacks on the ideas and heroes that underpin the West are even happening. This is where I think James Lindsay and Helen Pluckrose would be unbelievably useful in dismantling the nebulous and vague ideas of Social Justice and Critical Theory which are at the heart of these attacks against our way of life. Please have them on Douglas.

[@geoffauldfield4664]

What about truth? Does that not count for anything? The truth is what we should aim for.

[@bradhernandez8841]

@@geoffauldfield4664 I'm not against learning the truth about history. It's just that it's impossible to fight an enemy (postmodernist ideology) without understanding why it continually attacks the truth to begin with.

[@16m49x3]

@@bradhernandez8841 Because the enlightenment has been corrupted into being used by realpolitics to not only manipulate the natural world to our will, but morality and and society to their will.

[@miramichi30]

He should talk to them in another forum. They aren't historians.

[@catintheuk]

I just did a KZbin search for 'Douglas Murray' because I forgot the name of this series (lazy, I know). Anyway, this didn't come up as one of the top results. I then remember the title Uncancelled History. I'm just saying that you might be missing out on views from the many people who search for recent content featuring Douglas. I don't understand how the algorithm works (or doesn't work, in this case).

[@davidgreenfield3204]

Captivating discussion Douglas; did i hear you right on your reference to Sclars Oferson at 4.45 - the enlightenments. I would like to read more.

[@AgustePerry]

It seems in these modern times we are losing our since of direction morally and ethically, when the hope of spirit and the transcendant go I feel we have lost all reason to look up to the stars and wonder.

[@ckva7888]

Its really just the age old struggle between egalitarianism and individualism. The current form of egalitarianism (Marxism) is particularly unsophisticated so it seeks prevail by eliminating competing ideas because it cannot prevail on merit

[@jeffreypmitchell]

and spelling.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

How wonderful it is for someone to state there is a difference between the Operation of the Free Market and Capitalism.

[@paramidge8935]

Well there is a difference in theory and was to some extent in historical reality - not so convinced today. Ask a great many 'small businesses' how the so called 'free market' is working out for them (unless they are in fact corporation co-opted satellites or 'start ups' that in fact come from familial wealth or preferential contacts and contracts.

[@BlueBaron3339]

I had to laugh at Locke's notion of toleration stopping at Catholics. It was quite the widespread Anglo prejudice at the time. I recall in the letters of Adams and Jefferson, both noting Simon Bolivar's efforts to liberate Spanish colonies, that it was a pity that they could never be truly free. They were Catholics after all 😆

[@jayturner3397]

Excellent article 👏 👍

[@maxpitchkites]

I hope Douglas makes more history videos. His political insight is undoubtedly sharp, but his talents would be best served by writing and speaking about the universal things than the transient political nonsense of the moment.

[@leonardhaggstrom8541]

Douglas Murray is awesome !! I have been trying to contact Nebulous about a collaboration, but I can't find their contact information. There's a button that says, "interested in Working with us ?" but it leads to a blank page for (future) careers. I specialize in the British Imperial Land Management System and Imperial Place Names is new (original) content. Maybe there's a simple "info@" or something ?

[@BigEnglishStandup]

Very interesting.

[@Rafabenitez01]

On the famous Hume foot note Douglas states “how could he have such an opinion on people he knew nothing about “ . Well the reason he knew nothing about them is that they had not produced anything of note ?

[@user-jk8nx9hf9g]

The wheel?

[@shughy1]

Lovely studio set and lighting, might I suggest a couple of nice Sherlock Holmes chairs, to make both of you very relaxed and get the most out of any guests

[@USA50_]

Thanks for the video 😊👍🇬🇧🇺🇸🌍🌎🌏❤

[@niall4588]

Most enlightening! 😊

[@biscuitsandthat]

"It's a very short footnote" 😂 😂😂 Yeah, if only he had elaborated on that point, would surely have cleared everything up 😅

[@nicolabaker551]

“Accused of living in the past.” Ha! Nice one Douglas

[@1077jeremy]

Love me some Dougy. Subscribed.

[@RichardHebron]

Great set design!

[@MrFreddyFartface]

Presumably Adam Smith's opinion on modern-day state-run croney-capitalism (I just ran out of hyphens) would be very similar to what he tought about mercantilism. It's not an Invisible Hand if it's fat, wearing several rings, and reaching into your pocket.

[@paramidge8935]

Pithy and true comment!! Thanks and good luck.

[@martinschabenbeck1222]

When it comes to counter-movements to reason and the Enlightenment as a whole, we needn't look further than Romanticism, which followed on the heels of the Enlightenment.

[@malpreece5008]

Interesting conversation. Does anyone else think professor Clark sounds like Alan Alda?

[@foxtrotjulietbravo5536]

He has a verbal cadence similar to Alan Alda's.

[@joshuataylor3550]

Kermit the frog

[@MarcoSpeaksNadsat]

Bit of Woody Allen thrown in.

[@piushalg5041]

I am utterly astonished about the oversimplification regarding religious wars. At least after the reformation these struggles were largely politically motivated.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

The Scottish Enlightenment ended with Nicola Sturgeon!

[@aclark903]

I'm not sure Blair or Brown were entirely great representatives of Scottish thought.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

@@aclark903 If Blair or Brown ever had a thought it would have died of loneliness!

[@aclark903]

@@michaeldonahoo461 I wouldn't go that far. To be honest, the whole Labour project started in Scotland I think, with good intentions. Quite where they lost their way I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure #JamesCallaghan wasn't doing great in the 70s, not that that was Scotland's fault.

[@michaeldonahoo461]

@@aclark903 As it is so often said '"The road to hell is paved with good intentions". That being said, I believe that James Callaghan was fundamentally decent. I could not say the same thing about Blair and Brown.

[@aclark903]

@@michaeldonahoo461 I think Blair meant well. I nearly voted for him. But I think he was naive about the left of his party. Not sure Campbell was a good influence.

[@tipple58]

Top marks, gentlemen.

[@philodonoghue3062]

The channel programme / platform / channel I’ve come to watch as much as Peterson. Murray’s evolved to a mature commentator via interviewing other mature thinkers diverse views within the canons of western civilisation - without apology.

[@paramidge8935]

He is, naturally, also skewed by his own 'comfort blankets' but is far more rigorous than someone like Peterson, who when challenged can only condescend with the pseudo intellectual, 'psycho babble', that reflects his previous profession as a psychologist. Peterson is happiest when he can pontificate and 'analyse' the other from his 'big chair' - send him someone like Slavoj Zizek and he quickly crumbles. I would love to see Murray in debate with Zizek.

[@cameronpfiffner3415]

Douglas, the legend on the thumbnail is sneaky- “Englightenment”, indeed! Are you trying to claim the lion’s share of enlightenment thought for Jolly Old England? Thanks for the series, it’s a worthy successor to Kenneth Clark’s “Civilisation”, which I watched as a kid. Even though your format is different, it’s a reminder of the magnificent heritage of European thought and accomplishment.

[@stephencollinson2334]

Douglas, *please* turn this series into a book/s.

[@joedoe783]

I was actually looking for a book on the Enlightenment today. Can anybody recommend a definitive book on the European Enlightenment that I should read?

[@michaelgonzalez1476]

Jonathan Israel, now at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton, has written a rather forbidding trilogy on the Enlightenment. It’s quite massive but fascinating. Most recently Israel put out a new biography on one of the central figures of the Enlightenment , Baruch Spinoza.

[@Caligula138]

Why don't they explain how or why David Hume was wrong about his footnote?

[@paulbk7810]

Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, not a word?

[@tensevo]

a lot of people seem to think that we would magically live in this modern world of goods and services, without the enlightenment thinkers. .....we would not, and will not if we forget the teachings and become unenlightened.

[@P0thila]

I’ve replaced my radio news with this. Thanks.

[@NoNameNo.5]

I hope there are more episodes, perhaps a series of episodes on where thee bad ideas come , how to understan'D

[@gspurlock1118]

It seems to me that there is a lot of confusion on basic concepts of economics. The term "capitalism" was coined by Karl Marx as a perjorative and only addresses the monetary value of production, exclusive of labor, innovation, etc. Free market refers only to free, i.e., non-tariffed, and non regulated trade. It can only work as long as all trading partners adhere to the same principles. Adam Smith's economic model is correctly referred to as the "free enterprise" system. The free enterprise system includes the design, development and production as well as the trading of the results and accumulation of wealth or capital.

[@christopherk222]

"Reason" is "neutral": it can be used for good AND bad. . . (51:07)

[@peggyoban4069]

Why have you stopped producing these?! 😊

[@richardkennedy8481]

Who did that set?

[@MESvenssonpost]

As to the racist note from Hume, here in Sweden a similar discussion has held concerning Linnaeus, that wrote short remarks on human "races" in Systema Naturae. In this case he is using the old idea of humours and temperament in relation to skin colour. This has been inflated by some, as if this was his most important contribution and as if this somehow was important in relation to the institution of slavey or colonialism, and demands to tear down statues have been heard. It should be noted however that if indeed his list is a ranking, the american natives is at the top, not europeans. Instead of focusing on this oone could mention his more clearly enlightenment pupils Forsskål and Sparmann, that were early advocates for liberal freedoms and abolitionism (regarning slavery) respectively. Linnaeus inspired the racial classification of Blumenbach, that was explicitly against any ideas about black people somehow being inferior. One must judge these individuals not on all the opinions they may have had but on their net contribution to the bettering or worsening of society.

[@jugg3647]

Beginning to like Hume more and more....

[@katiekaufman1606]

👏👏👏

[@tensevo]

I learnt a lot about david hume and never once came across the foot note, it is as if this has been dug up in the last couple of years.