Adam Smith

Critical Lives

Jonathan Conlin

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English

Reaktion Books
01 May 2016

Biography; Biography: historical, political & military; Economic theory & philosophy

Series: Critical Lives

Universally acknowledged as the father of capitalism, the eighteenth-century Scottish thinker Adam Smith (16 June 1723 - 17 July 1790) is best known for developing the concept of the 'invisible hand'. The 'hand' helped to explain how the removal of state regulation could set individuals free to specialise and pursue their own self-interest for the good of all. Unfortunately this idea was later manipulated by advocates of unfettered 'casino capitalism', while Smith's references to self-interest were caricatured as 'greed is good', the mantra of Wall Street's anti-hero Gordon Gekko. Smith's thought, rooted in the holistic science of moral philosophy, was squeezed into the straight-jacket of Economics - a discipline unknown in Smith's day.

This introduction to Smith's life and ideas sews the 'invisible hand' back on to the body of Smithian ethics. Smith rooted our trading instinct in human psychology and advanced a system of ethics founded on sympathy. In life as in books such as the renowned Wealth of Nations he drew much from the contrasts afforded by the industrializing Scottish Lowlands and the clan-based pastoralism of the Highlands, as well as between contemporaries such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and David Hume, a close friend.

Weaving together Smith's life and ideas, the book highlights the ways in which Smith anticipated recent developments in behavioural economics and virtue ethics as well as debates over inequality. It argues that Smith can equip us to face tomorrow's challenges, and, much more importantly, make us better as well as happier humans.

By: Jonathan Conlin
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 200mm, Width: 130mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 318g
ISBN: 9781780235684
ISBN 10: 1780235682
Series: Critical Lives
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 01 May 2016
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Adam Smith: Critical Lives

In a well-written and consistently interesting study, Jonathan Conlin shows how Adam Smith, key thinker in the development of economics, is directly relevant not only for the late 18th century but also for today. . . . A valuable, interesting and well-written book. Conlin deserves congratulations. --BBC History