A Post-Positivist Outlook from the Thistle

The paper argues that Scottish-ness emerges constantly in Neil MacCormick's writings in the same way as it did in his conversation and teaching, naturally and appropriately to the point under discussion, and as un-self-consciously as is ever possible in the act of serious writing. Sometimes the point of departure is Scotland in some aspect or other (usually political), and quite frequently what MacCormick wanted to say was about and for Scotland; but it was all part of a wider picture in the end, at least European in its overall scope and ambition. Scottish-ness is thus part of the texture, the woof and warp, of MacCormick’s work: not to be over-emphasised, but, equally, not to be overlooked or under-played.