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Adam Smith (1723-1790) is widely regarded as one of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment period. Best-known for his founding work of economics, The Wealth of Nations, Smith engaged equally with the nature of morality in his Theory of Moral Sentiments. He also gave lectures on literature and jurisprudence, and wrote papers on art and science.
In this outstanding philosophical introduction Samuel Fleischacker argues that Smith is a superb example of the broadly curious thinkers who flourished in the Enlightenment-for whom morality, politics, law, and economics were just a few of the many fascinating subjects that could be illuminated by naturalistic modes of investigation.
After a helpful overview of his life and work, Fleischacker examines the full range of Smith's thought, on such subjects as:
epistemology, philosophy of science, and aesthetics
the nature of sympathy
moral approval and moral judgement
virtue
religion
justice and jurisprudence
governmental policy
economic principles
liberalism.
Including chapter summaries, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary, Adam Smith is essential reading for those studying ethics, political philosophy, the history of philosophy, and the Enlightenment, as well as those reading Smith in related disciplines such as economics, law, and religion.
List of contents
Chronology Preface 1. The sage of Glasgow 2. Epistemology; philosophy of science; aesthetics 3. Moral sentimentalism 4. Sympathy 5. Moral approval and moral judgment 6. The character of virtue; description and normativity 7. Advantages and disadvantages of Smith’s moral philosophy 8. Religion 9. Justice 10. Police 11. Economic principles 12. Liberalism. Glossary Index
About the author
Samuel Fleischacker is LAS Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. His books include The Ethics of Culture (1994), On Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations: A Philosophical Companion (2003), A Short History of Distributive Justice (2004), The Good and the Good Book (2015), What Is Enlightenment? (Routledge, 2012), and Being Me Being You: Adam Smith and Empathy (2019).
Summary
Adam Smith is essential reading for those studying ethics, political philosophy, the history of philosophy, and the Enlightenment, as well as those reading Smith in related disciplines such as economics, law and religion.
