Meet
Adam Smith
1723–1790 · Classical · Scottish
Economics
Moral philosopher of sympathy, markets, and political economy.
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Who they were
The life behind Adam Smith’s ideas
Adam Smith is presented in the Thought archive through economics, scottish, scottish, classical. The recorded life dates are 1723–1790. The profile connects this work to Economics, Enlightenment, Ethics, Political Philosophy.
The central questions gathered here concern sympathy, invisible hand, markets, moral sentiments, division of labor. Together they show the recurring problems, methods, and distinctions that define this thinker’s contribution.
Adam Smith developed within an intellectual conversation shaped by Scottish Enlightenment, Hume, natural jurisprudence. These names provide context for the traditions and problems surrounding the work; they do not imply simple agreement.
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Links markets to moral sentiments, institutions, incentives, and the social conditions of prosperity.
- Era
- Classical
- Tradition
- Scottish
- Discipline
- Economics
- Life dates
- 1723–1790
- Country
- Scottish
- Schools
- Economics, Enlightenment, Ethics, Political Philosophy
The questions they explored
What kept them wondering
- 01
Sympathy
- 02
Invisible hand
- 03
Markets
- 04
Moral sentiments
- 05
Division of labor
Orbit of influence
Everything Adam Smith is connected to
Each line is a recorded connection: an idea they hold in the debate record, a Thought written in their voice, an influence, or a debate they joined.
- holds an idea
- shares a school or field
The same connections as a list
Ideas
- Division of laborholds this idea
- Invisible handholds this idea
- Marketsholds this idea
- Moral sentimentsholds this idea
- Sympathyholds this idea
Thinkers
- Frederick Douglassshares Ethics, Political Philosophy
Ideas Adam Smith holds in the debate record
Influences and connections
Who shaped them, and whom they shaped
Shaped by
- Scottish Enlightenment
- Hume
- natural jurisprudence
Went on to shape
- economics
- liberalism
- political economy
- market theory
Ideas in motion
Debates featuring Adam Smith
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Where Adam Smith leads next
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