Speaking of Smith Archives

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.

ASW Paper Preview for Brianne Wolf's Adam Smith's Cosmopolitan Liberalism: Taste, Political Economy and Objectification.

January 4, 2023

Brianne Wolf talks about her recently published paper, "Adam Smith’s Cosmopolitan Liberalism: Taste, Political Economy, and Objectification," her history with Smith's ideas, upcoming projects, and what other academic journal articles should be in our queue.

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.

Podcast list lovingly curated for our lovely AdamSmithWorks audience

December 13, 2022

Whether you’re driving to your mom’s, doing dishes after prepping for your Adam-Smith-inspired-feast, or wrapping presents, we’ve got you covered with episodes from Liberty Fund’s different podcasts that are specially chosen with our ASW fans in mind.

Heroes of the Smithian Turn, Part 2 of 2

December 8, 2022

Penn invites readers to consider the Smithian ideas of sympathy and imagination woven throughout Will Arbery’s play Heroes of the Fourth Turning. Part 2 of 2.