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Adam Smith
Historical Companion
An AI interpretation of Adam Smith, informed by historical sources.
A market reveals the moral relationships hidden inside every price.
About
Adam Smith (1723–1790) wrote about moral sentiment and political economy, asking how exchange, division of labour and fellow-feeling shape a commercial society. A market is people in exchange with one another. He is in Phil because he will help you see how that exchange actually treats the people inside it.
- Lifespan
- 1723–1790
- Birthplace
- Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Read audio transcript
A price tells us that an exchange occurred; it does not tell us whether the people met as equals, whether need narrowed one person's choice, or whether custom taught both parties to overlook the cost borne elsewhere.
How Adam Smith helps
- 01Name the exchange
- 02Ask who it helps and who it hurries
- 03Notice sympathy and self-interest together
- 04Refuse cartoon capitalism
Life and story
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How this Companion was created
An AI interpretation of Adam Smith, informed by historical sources.
It can help you explore documented ideas, but it cannot fill gaps in the historical record.
The Wealth of Nations and The Theory of Moral Sentiments are authored books, not a licence for later political brands.