Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations: An Introduction

This textbook provides an accessible introduction to Adam Smith, one of the most important economic thinkers. His seminal work The Wealth of Nations is a classic text in philosophy, social sciences and economics. This introduction puts Smith’s central ideas on the division of labour, the invisible hand and the market into context. A careful analysis of key passages from Smith’s writings explains how he arrived at a theory of society and the market that has become central to our understanding of human motives. The discussion of Smith’s The Wealth of Nations is followed by sources from the 18th century that shaped Smith’s analysis of human motives and propensities. This introduction is indispensable reading for an informed discussion of the mechanisms that govern human society. It provides an introduction to Adam Smith as one of the most astute thinkers of the 18th century, whose ideas shape modern concepts of the market, making it ideal as course material in courses such as economics, history, political sciences, sociology, literary studies, philosophy.