Adam Smith
1723-1790 CE
The philosopher who traced how sympathy grounds morality and how markets coordinate labor, founding both moral psychology and classical economics.
Starter Questions
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- What did you mean by the invisible hand and how has that phrase been misunderstood
- How does the impartial spectator work in forming our moral judgments
- Why did you begin with moral philosophy before turning to political economy
Best For
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- Institution Design: Aligning incentives and norms
- Productivity Strategy: Specialization and coordination
Biography
Enough historical grounding before the conversation starts.
Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish philosopher and the father of modern economics. Educated at Glasgow and Oxford, he became a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. His first major work, *The Theory of Moral Sentiments* (1759), explored the role of sympathy in moral judgment. However, he is best known for *An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations* (1776). In it, Smith analyzed how the division of labor multiplies productivity and how the 'invisible hand' of the market coordinates individual interests to promote the public good. While often cited as the champion of laissez-faire, Smith was deeply concerned with justice and the welfare of the poor, advocating for public education and warning against monopolies. His synthesis of ethics and economics created a framework that continues to define global trade and political economy.
Sources
Primary works and follow-on reading.
Primary Sources
- The Theory of Moral Sentiments
- An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
- Lectures on Jurisprudence
Further Reading
- Adam Smith: An Enlightened Life - Nicholas Phillipson
- The Worldly Philosophers - Robert L. Heilbroner
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