Adam Smith and Modernity: 1723-2023

This volume features 19 original chapters on Adam Smith's conception of modernity, demonstrating his relevance as the great interpreter of modernity 250 years after the publication of The Wealth of Nations. The chapters cover structural aspects, modern subjectivity, ethics and economics, functional dynamics, history, and progress. It appeals to scholars and advanced students in 18th-century philosophy, economic thought, and social and political philosophy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 362 pages
Publication date: 20 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume presents a rich tapestry of 19 original chapters that delve into Adam Smith's profound conception of modernity, showcasing the enduring relevance of his ideas 250 years after the publication of his seminal work, The Wealth of Nations. The chapters in Part 1 delve into the structural dimensions of Smith's thought, exploring his role as a theorist of a spontaneous order, the systematic nature of his theoretical construction, and his status as a historian of economic thought. Part 2 delves into the realm of modern subjectivity, examining Smith's views between Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, and The Wealth of Nations. Here, the contributors examine the figure of the Smithian merchant, the significance of ridicule and satire in understanding modern civility, and the role of sympathy, imagination, and moral judgment in shaping a sense of self, the condition of the modern man in society, and the virtue of self-command. Part 3 takes up the crucial question of the relationship between ethics and economics, exploring the interconnectedness between efficiency, equity, and justice, the essence of Smith's theory of value, and the ethical implications of his critique. Part 4 delves into the intricacies of the functional dynamics and developmental process of the Smithian commercial society, addressing topics such as law and authority, the interplay between work and freedom, the parable of the poor man's son, and the economic and political consequences of the emerging secular orthodoxy. Finally, the chapters in Part 5 explore themes related to history and the Smithian notion of progress. They examine the link between trade and the progress of civilization, Smith's modern sociological vision of mass commercial societies, his assessment of "savage" and premodern societies, and the broader historical context in which Smith's ideas unfolded.

Weight: 870g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032293943