Jesse Norman believes that many books about Adam Smith miss two key parts of his work. The first being some technical consequences associated with Smiths’ work on economics. The second is that he was part of the Scottish Enlightenment, which was not a result of questioning religion, as the Enlightenment in other parts of the world was. Norman explains how Adam Smith’s life progressed to the point of where he produced The Wealth of Nations. Norman thinks of Smith as not only the father of economics, but also the father of social psychology.

What is Smith’s policy impact today? What was the intellectual environment was Smith in? When was the Scottish Enlightenment? How was the Scottish Enlightenment different than the French Enlightenment? What was the relationship between David Hume and Adam Smith? Why is the Theory of Moral Sentiments often ignored? What is an “impartial spectator” according to Smith?

Further Reading:

Adam Smith: Father of Economics, written by Jesse Norman

The Condensed Wealth of Nations and The Incredibly Condensed Theory of Moral Sentiments, written by Eamonn Butler

Adam Smith Institute

Related Content:

Was Adam Smith a Libertarian?, written by Paul Mueller

The Ideas of Adam Smith, Free Thoughts Episode

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Free Thoughts Episode

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