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…
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From The Theory of Moral Sentiments to modern neuroscience and experimental economics, explore how our sociality makes us naturally inclined to be concerned for the well-being of others.
Who was Adam Smith?
Self-Help Advice from Adam Smith and Jane Austen
by Cecil Bohanon and Michelle Vachris for AdamSmithWorks
Learn More About Smith
Reference our helpful guides for navigating the enormous number of topics discussed in Adam Smith's major works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations... Coming soon!
Reading Smith
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"