Speaking of Smith Archives
Reading the Wealth of Nations: Book 2
November 1, 2021

Smith uses the phrase “productive labour” in our readings for this week. But what does he mean by it? In a modern context, most people think of productive labour as something that produces, well... value. He refers to lawyers, physicians, and even men of letters (like Adam Smith himself) as unproductive.

Smith uses the phrase “productive labour” in our readings for this week. But what does he mean by it? In a modern context, most people think of productive labour as something that produces, well... value. He refers to lawyers, physicians, and even men of letters (like Adam Smith himself) as unproductive.
Unexpected Insights of David Hume
October 11, 2021

His ideas were like those of his younger friend Adam Smith, but Hume did not write a huge and influential book such as Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776). Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that his economic ideas were put in print long before Smith’s.

His ideas were like those of his younger friend Adam Smith, but Hume did not write a huge and influential book such as Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776). Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that his economic ideas were put in print long before Smith’s.