Adam Smith (Classic Thinkers Series)

Description

Almost everyone has heard of Adam Smith, founding father of modern economics and author of Wealth of Nations. There is, however, much more to him than this. This new introduction gives a crystal clear overview of the entirety of Smith's thought. It demonstrates how Smith's economic theories fit into a larger system of thought that encompasses moral philosophy, philosophy of science, legal and political theory, and aesthetics. Examining the central arguments of his major works, ranging from The Theory of Moral Sentiments to his lectures on jurisprudence and beyond, Smith's thought is explained in its full intellectual and historical context. As the book unfolds, the long-standing caricature of Adam Smith as an uncritical defender of capitalism red in tooth and claw is systematically challenged, revealing a far more complex and nuanced figure whose rich legacy remains highly relevant today. Comprehensive yet concise, this book will be the leading introduction to Adam Smith's ideas for generations of students, scholars and general readers, relevant to areas ranging from philosophy and the history of economic thought to political theory. Cover Title page Copyright page Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations for Smith’s Works 1 Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment Life The Scottish Enlightenment Newton Hume 2 Science and System Science Wonder, Surprise, and Admiration Systems Rhetoric Conjectural History Social Change 3 Morality and Sympathy Sympathy Sociability Propriety General Rules Custom The Impartial Spectator The Limits of Sympathy Self-command 4 Justice and Virtue Justice Benevolence Police Religion Moral Corruption The Invisible Hand The Implications of Inequality 5 Jurisprudence Stadial Theory Property Government Warfare The Fall of Feudalism Modern Liberty 6 The Nature of Wealth The Division of Labour Trade Markets Wages Capital Saving Productive and Unproductive Labour Banking and Money 7 Government and the Market The Mercantile System Mercantile Policy Empire The Agricultural System Defence Justice Publick Works and Institutions Education Taxation 8 Legacy and Influence ‘Das Adam Smith-Problem’ Moral Sentiments The Famous Dr Smith Classical Political Economy Marxism The New Right Contemporary Political Economy Smith Studies Adam Smith Problems Conclusion Notes Chapter 1 Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment Chapter 2 Science and System Chapter 3 Morality and Sympathy Chapter 4 Justice and Virtue Chapter 5 Jurisprudence Chapter 6 The Nature of Wealth Chapter 7 Government and the Market Chapter 8 Legacy and Influence Bibliography Index EULA