ADAM SMITH’S ENLIGHTENED WORLD

An Animal That Trades

A five-part short video series on the life and contemporary relevance of Adam Smith.

Adam Smith on Differential Returns to Labor

Maryann Keating for AdamSmithWorks "The distribution of national income between wages and profit varies between time and place. However, variations in the return to labor across industries persist in nations both rich and poor and in economies that are advancing, stationary, or declining. Smith maintains, the proportion between wages in different industries remains the same, and cannot be altered, at least for any considerable time." November 15, 2023

Bridging Cultures: Adam Smith and Confucius

Hairuo Tan for AdamSmithWorks Tan shows the parallels in the thought of two great civilizational moralists, though separated by space, tradition, and more than 2000 years. "Finding the universal truth in a culture that seems quite different from one’s own does not homogenize the two cultures, but it may harmonize them." November 22, 2023

Division of Labor Toolkit

Tackling the division of labor in your classroom? Let us help you start with Adam Smith.

Teaching through the Year: Seasonal Readings and Activities

We're making it easy for you to find seasonally relevant ways to bring Adam Smith and his ideas into your classroom.

Activity: Commerce and care

A comic strip to spark discussion of Adam Smith's "the butcher, the brewer, and the baker", and of how our care for each other is affected by money.

Virtual Reading Groups

AdamSmithWorks is pleased to offer Virtual Reading Groups designed to gather individuals interested in serious and civil discussion. Our VRGs focus on a particular Smithian topic and a common set of readings will form the basis for our discussions. Each group is facilitated by a professional moderator and is conducted online. Participants also have a private online community in which to engage with one another throughout. Participation is offered at no cost, and there is no need to be an expert on the topic for discussion! The only requirement is that participants be eager to read and engage in conversation. Participants who successfully complete all sessions will receive an e-gift certificate from Amazon.com!

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith’s first and in his own mind most important work, outlines his view of proper conduct and the institutions and sentiments that make men virtuous. He develops his doctrine of the impartial spectator, whose hypothetical disinterested judgment we use to distinguish right from wrong in any given situation.

How to Join the 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"