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Speaking of Smith Archives

Adam Smith’s Misunderstanding of Wealth Creation and His Abhorrence of Greed

January 31, 2023


What are the most important things to understand about Smith? Soll points to Smith's misunderstanding of wealth creation and his disgust with merchant's greed. 

An Accurate versus Inaccurate Reading of Adam Smith

January 30, 2023


The debate continues as Muller again attempts to reconcile Soll's portrayal of Adam Smith with the Adam Smith Muller has studied and written about. 

The Ongoing Search for Adam Smith (with Freakonomics)

January 26, 2023


 The Freakonomics podcast wants to present Adam Smith as a person - not just two old books on a shelf. Did they succeed? Find out what Skwire says. 

Adam Smith, Robert Burns, and a Tipsy Laird (What Adam Smith Ate)

January 24, 2023


Adam Smith and Robert Burns admired and knew of each other. They even bought each other's books but, as far as we know, they never met in person. 

Empathy, Adam Smith, and Greek Tragedy

January 15, 2023
 

Why were the Greek tragedies so important for Smith? One likely reason is their moral ambiguity, which requires empathy to navigate.

The Poor Man's Son According to Adam Smith and Hilary Mantel

January 10, 2023


Many stories from Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments rightfully linger in readers' memories. The poor man's son is one. Eyes are easily blinded by the dazzles of wealth. The spurs of ambition bite deeply into ourselves, friends and family, and a poor blacksmith's son from Putney named Thomas Cromwell. 

Paris Salons and Chestnut Soup with Lobster (What Adam Smith Ate)

January 8, 2023


Smith was a regular at Paul-Henri Thiry Baron d’Holbach’s weekly dinners. Holbach was a leading figure of the French Enlightenment and one of the members of the French society developing the Encyclopedia His salon was one of the most prestigious in Paris and limited to men. At Baron d’Holbach’s, Smith frequently met with other scholars and their guests including Turgot, Diderot, and the Abbé Morellet.

A First Foray with David Hume's History of England

January 3, 2023


An American dips in to David Hume's History of England and comes up with more questions than answers. 

Cartels, Combinations, and The Students’ Dilemma

December 22, 2022


"And there’s the catch. If only one student took the exam, then she would be guaranteed 100% on it no matter how well she did. So, the best situation for each student would be for them to be the only one to take the exam." 

The Sympathetic Impact of Adam Smith and Lionel Messi

December 20, 2022


What would Adam Smith think about Lionel Messi? Edwards thinks Smith might have quite a bit to say. Plus, there are some surprising similarities between the 18th century moral philosopher and the modern football ("soccer" for the Americans) star. 

Dear Adam Smith: Unacceptable Gifts

December 18, 2022


When a "gift" is not really a gift, it should not be accepted. Adam Smith responds to a concerned head of a brokerage about unethical behavior from her realtors.