ADAM SMITH’S ENLIGHTENED WORLD
Commerce, morality, equality, the rule of law, and the role of government… Welcome to the world of Adam Smith.
What can we learn about our own world from Smith? Join the workers in an 18th century pin factory to find out more…
Interactive Pin FactoryJoin the discussion!
Speaking of SmithLatest
Division of Labor and the Wealth of Nations
Explore Adam Smith's pin factory, build mini sheds, and read Wealth of Nations to gain a better understanding of the division of labor. Adjustments to this lesson plan to make it appropriate for online teaching are included.
Explore.
The Smith Questionnaire Watch as we subject some of our favorite scholars to some silly questions about Smith.
Learn.
A five-part short video series on the life and contemporary relevance of Adam Smith.
Perspectives from Smith on Wealth and Happiness
Erik W. Matson for AdamSmithWorksMay 13, 2020
Read.
Smith’s Lectures on Jurisprudence, originally delivered at the University of Glasgow in 1762–1763, presents his “theory of the rules by which civil government ought to be directed.” The chief purpose of government, according to Smith, is to preserve justice; and “the object of justice is security from injury.” The state must protect the individual’s right to his person, property, reputation, and social relations.
Scholars’ Portal
The ASW Scholars’ Portal is an online work-and-gathering space for Smith scholars. Its features include:
- ability to upload working papers for comment, and to comment on others' papers
- online open-discussion forum
- ability to create and contribute to collaborative documents such as reading lists, annotated bibliographies, and a "Smithopaedia"