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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260602T193000
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SUMMARY:The Legacy of James Hutton (1726–1797): The Spirit of Enlightenment Science
DESCRIPTION:Join Professor Colin Campbell\, Chief Executive\, The James Hutton Institute while he traces James Hutton’s life and intellectual development.\n  \nJames Hutton\, physician\, chemist\, farmer and natural philosopher\, is best known as the founder of modern geology that is the basis of the “Deep Time” of our Earth. Yet his contribution reaches far beyond the rocks of Siccar Point. In his Theory of the Earth\, Theory of Rain\, Elements of Agriculture and the Principles of Knowledge and Reason\, Hutton articulated a profoundly modern vision of science: that nature operates through continuous\, observable processes; that knowledge progresses gradually through evidence and reason; that truth is constantly hampered by error and uncertainty and that human understanding is refined through disciplined inquiry. \nThis online lecture traces Hutton’s life and intellectual development within the Scottish Enlightenment\, examining how his ideas of systems and cyclical processes operated in diverse areas of human physiology\, agricultural experimentation and field observation of rocks and geological strata to a coherent philosophy of nature. It explores how his concept of uniformitarianism reshaped our thinking of a “Dynamic Earth”\, influenced Charles Lyell\, Charles Darwin\, and James Lovelock and helped establish a worldview grounded in process\, system\, and deep time. \n  \nSpeaker: Professor Colin D. Campbell\, Chief Executive\, The James Hutton Institute\nFacilitator: Professor Eric Blair\, Vice President\, Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society\n  \nThe Enlightenment unleashed remarkable advances in science\, industry and human endeavour. Yet it also laid the foundations for extractive economies\, environmental degradation and a separation of humanity from nature that now underpins many of our global challenges. What\, then\, have we learned? How might we recover the spirit of Enlightenment inquiry while avoiding further unintended consequences? \nDrawing on contemporary examples from The James Hutton Institute\, this lecture reflects on how science has evolved—from natural philosophy to system science\, from descriptive “…ologies” to predictive modelling\, and from disciplinary research to integrated sustainability science. It considers how Hutton’s commitment to observation\, systems thinking\, and intellectual humility continues to shape research agendas addressing climate change\, land use\, biodiversity\, soil health and food security. \nThree centuries on\, Hutton’s insights remain vital – not only for understanding the past\, but for guiding a more enlightened future. \n  \nSpeaker Biography \nProfessor Colin D. Campbell\, Chief Executive\, The James Hutton Institute \n  \nProfessor Colin D. Campbell is a soil and environmental scientist and Chief Executive of The James Hutton Institute\, where he has played a central role in advancing interdisciplinary research on land systems\, climate change\, and sustainable resource management. His work focuses on soil ecology\, biogeochemical cycling\, and the interactions between land use and ecosystem function\, contributing to national and international policy discussions on climate mitigation\, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. \nThroughout his career\, Professor Campbell has championed systems-based approaches to environmental science\, integrating field observation\, experimental research and modelling to address complex challenges facing rural and natural environments. He has led major research programmes and collaborative initiatives linking science\, policy and practice\, and has contributed extensively to advisory panels and strategic development in the UK and internationally. \nAs a long-standing member of the Institute named after James Hutton\, Professor Campbell brings a deep appreciation of Hutton’s intellectual legacy. The institute reflects the enduring spirit of Enlightenment science: rigorous observation\, critical reasoning\, and a commitment to applying knowledge for the public good. \n  \nFacilitator \nProfessor Eric Blair\, Vice President\, Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society \nThis webinar is hosted by The James Hutton Institute and The Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society. \nThe James Hutton Institute is a world‑leading interdisciplinary scientific research organisation delivering excellent\, open and trusted science to help secure the future for people\, nature and the economy. Through multidisciplinary research spanning land\, crops\, water and natural resources\, the Hutton delivers measurable public good by supporting sustainable land use\, climate resilience\, food security and community wellbeing in Scotland and across the globe. Our work—from laboratories to landscape‑scale living labs—helps society respond to the climate and nature crises while strengthening rural communities and resilient economies. We undertake research for clients including the Scottish and UK Governments\, the EU and international partners. We employ just under 500 staff\, support around 100 PhD students\, and have campuses in Aberdeen and Invergowrie\, near Dundee. We are named after the pioneering 18th‑century Scottish Enlightenment scientist James Hutton\, whose ideas laid the foundations of earth systems science through his understanding of deep time\, cycles and the interconnectedness of natural processes. We continue his legacy of integrative\, evidence‑led thinking. More information at www.hutton.ac.uk. \nThe Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society\, founded in 1819\, is a charity that promotes interest in science\, literature and the arts – in the city of Leeds and beyond. The society has been offering a programme of events every year since 1821\, covering a wide range of scientific\, technical\, artistic and cultural topics. \nWe also make small grants to individuals and organisations to support cultural activities that aim to increase understanding\, innovation\, outreach and diversity in Leeds and its immediate area. \nThe Society is constantly looking for new ways to make progress with its aims\, including through collaborations with other scientific\, cultural and educational organisations – in Leeds and in the wider world. \n  \nEvent Registration – Privacy Notice \nBy registering for this event you understand we will use your personal data to process your registration and to communicate with you about the event. \nIf you have any questions contact events@hutton.ac.uk. \nFor more information about what we do with personal data and your rights under Data Protection legislation\, please see our privacy notice: http://www.hutton.ac.uk/privacy-notice. \nAccessibility note \nWe aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or questions about how we can support you in attending our events\, please contact The James Hutton Institute’s event team at events@hutton.ac.uk. \nPhotography\, filming and recording \nThis lecture will be recorded. \nPlease note that the event organiser and events partners will be taking photographs and filming during this event. The photographs/video recordings may be used for publicity\, promotional and business development purposes in print and digital media formats including publications\, reports\, tenders\, websites\, promotional material and social media. If you have any concerns\, please contact events@hutton.ac.uk.
URL:https://www.hutton.ac.uk/event/the-legacy-of-james-hutton-1726-1797-the-spirit-of-enlightenment-science/
LOCATION:Online
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