by Helen Kain | Oct 14, 2026 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
In eighteenth-century Edinburgh, a remarkable group of thinkers was attempting to understand how human societies worked. David Hume examined the habits and conventions that made cooperation possible, while Adam Smith explored moral judgment, commerce and the division...
by Helen Kain | May 24, 2025 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
Adam Smith rarely gets mentioned without someone bringing up the invisible hand. It’s a pity, really, because there was a great deal more to him than that. I’ve been listening to Jesse Norman’s biography of Smith and found myself becoming...
by Helen Kain | May 24, 2025 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, is best known as the man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, but his impact on Britain extended far beyond the battlefield. Wellington, a masterful general, shrewd politician, and two-time Prime Minister, helped shape Britain’s...
by Helen Kain | May 24, 2025 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
Early Life and Education Christopher Wren was born in 1632 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, into a well-connected and scholarly family. His father was the Dean of Windsor, and his early education was influenced by exposure to both the church and academia. Wren attended...
by Helen Kain | May 24, 2025 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
You might not know his name, but if you’ve ever admired the cool elegance of a Georgian façade—symmetrical windows, classical columns, that refined, orderly feel—you have Colen Campbell to thank. A Scottish architect and writer, Campbell wasn’t the loudest...
by Helen Kain | May 24, 2025 | FP Act V — Civilization Compounds
David Hume was apparently excellent company, which is rather surprising when you consider how thoroughly he unsettled some of the most cherished assumptions of his age. He was genial, sociable, fond of conversation and possessed of a healthy appetite. His friends...
