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Liberty and Responsibility in Adam Smith

Topic

This set of readings is designed to explore a broad range of Adam Smith’s thinking on topics as diverse as moral philosophy, political economy, the history of science, jurisprudence, and the creative arts.

Editions Used

We will be using The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith which was originally published by Oxford University Press and which is published in paper back and on the web under license by Liberty Fund.

• Adam Smith, The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). 7 vols. Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/197 on 2007-11-30

Further Reading

For additional texts and information see:

• Subject Area: Philosophy
• Subject Area: Economics
• School of Thought: The Scottish Enlightenment
• Author: Adam Smith (1723-1790)

• PART I: Of the Propriety of Action Consisting of Three Sections - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 1 The Theory of Moral Sentiments [1759]

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART I: Of the Propriety of Action Consisting of Three Sections

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122382 on 2007-11-30

• PART II: Of Merit and Demerit; or, of the Objects of Reward and Punishment Consisting of Three Sections - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 1 The Theory of Moral Sentiments [1759]

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART II: Of Merit and Demerit; or, of the Objects of Reward and Punishment Consisting of Three Sections

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122417 on 2007-11-30

• Session II: The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Reading 1

  We will begin Session by reading Part III of TMS on “The Foundation of Our Judgments.”

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART III: Of the Foundation of our Judgments concerning our own Sentiments and Conduct, and of the Sense of Duty a Consisting of One Section a

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122449 on 2007-11-30

• Session II: The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Reading 2

  Then Part IV of TMS on “The Effect of Utility.”

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART IV: Of the Effect of Utility upon the Sentiment of Approbation a Consisting of One Section a

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122463 on 2007-11-30

• Session III: The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Reading 1

  We will begin Session III by discussing Part V of TMS on “The Influence of Custom and Fashion.”

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART V: Of the Influence of Custom and Fashion upon the Sentiments of Moral Approbation and Disapprobation a Consisting of One Section a

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122469 on 2007-11-30

• a PART VI: Of the Character of Virtue Consisting of Three Sections - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 1 The Theory of Moral Sentiments [1759]

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: a PART VI: Of the Character of Virtue Consisting of Three Sections

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122475 on 2007-11-30

• PART VII: Of Systems of Moral Philosophy Consisting of Four Sections - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 1 The Theory of Moral Sentiments [1759]

  Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, ed. D.D. Raphael and A.L. Macfie, vol. I of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: PART VII: Of Systems of Moral Philosophy Consisting of Four Sections

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/192/122492 on 2007-11-30

• LECTURES ON JURISPRUDENCE: REPORT OF 1762–3 - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 5 Lectures On Jurisprudence [1762]

  Adam Smith, Lectures On Jurisprudence, ed. R.. L. Meek, D. D. Raphael and P. G. Stein, vol. V of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: LECTURES ON JURISPRUDENCE: REPORT OF 1762–3

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/196/55585 on 2007-11-30

• BOOK I: Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 2a

  Adam Smith, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. I ed. R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner, vol. II of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1981). Chapter: BOOK I: Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/220/111835 on 2007-11-30

• Session VII: The Wealth of Nations

  We will continue discussing Chapters 1-3, and 5 of Book II.

  Adam Smith, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. I ed. R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner, vol. II of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1981). Chapter: BOOK II: Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/220/111882 on 2007-11-30

• Session VIII: The Wealth of Nations

  In this session we will discuss Smith’s view of political economy beginning with the Introduction to Book IV and then Chapter 7 (Parts I, II, and III) and Chapters 8 and 10.

  Adam Smith, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. I ed. R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner, vol. II of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1981). Chapter: BOOK IV: Of Systems of political Oeconomy

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/220/111905 on 2007-11-30

• BOOK V: Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 2b An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. 2 [1776]

  Adam Smith, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. I and II, ed. R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner, vol. II of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1981). Chapter: BOOK V: Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/200/111940 on 2007-11-30

• Session X: Essays on Philosophical Subjects

  In this session we will discuss Smith’s history of astronomy.

  Adam Smith, Essays on Philosophical Subjects, ed. W. P. D. Wightman and J. C. Bryce, vol. III of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: The HISTORY of ASTRONOMY

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/201/56013 on 2007-11-30

• Session XI: Essays on Philosophical Subjects

  In this session we will discuss Smith’s views on what he called “the imitative arts,” namely music, dancing, and poetry.

  In the final Session XII there will be a general discussion of Adam Smith’s work as a whole.

  Adam Smith, Essays on Philosophical Subjects, ed. W. P. D. Wightman and J. C. Bryce, vol. III of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1982). Chapter: Of the Nature of that Imitation which takes place in what are called The Imitative Arts/Of the Affinity between Music, Dancing, and Poetry

  Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/201/56033 on 2007-11-30