Adam Smith

1723 - 1790 20th Century Scottish

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Biographical Core

Adam Smith was a pioneering Scottish economist and philosopher, regarded as the father of modern economics. He authored 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' (1759), exploring human sympathy and moral judgments, and 'The Wealth of Nations' (1776), which introduced concepts like the division of labor, the invisible hand of the market, free trade, and critiques of monopolies and elite self-interest. A key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, he advocated for moral authorizations of honest industry, the presumption of liberty within justice, and how self-interest in markets can promote societal good through productivity and specialization.

Debate Topology Note