Hugh Binning (1627-1653) lived at a time when politics and religion were inexorably intertwined. Binning trained as a Philosopher – believing that philosophy was the servant of theology but that both should be taught in parallel. Binning’s writing forms an important bridge between the 17th century, when philosophy in Scotland was heavily dominated by Calvinism, and the 18th century when there was a greater degree of independence between theology and allied philosophy.

Of Binning’s speaking style, it was said: “There is originality without any affectation, a rich imagination, without anything fanciful or extravert, the utmost simplicity, without a thing mean or trifling.” – The Religious Magazine, 1830