Economics as a Moral Science: The Political Economy of Adam SmithThis insightful book offers an original approach to the moral philosophy and economics of Adam Smith. The author proposes new ways of linking Smith's moral theories to his economics, stressing that for Smith, a moral science of economics is not a contradiction in terms, and that moral questions actually lie at the heart of positive and normative economic analysis. Professor Young examines the methodology and philosophy of Smith's work and considers how morality and economics can be reconciled without sacrificing objectivity and testing. He questions whether economics can or should be a value-free science, and argues that economics can be a useful tool in solving moral problems. He extends the discussion on methodology to consider the concept of self- interest and the formation of moral values by the individual and by society in general. He examines the ethical effects of commercial society on the quality of life and well-being of the individual and society. In addition, the author discusses the themes of justice, fairness, the system of natural liberty, distributive equity and the common good. Economics as a Moral Science will be of interest to historians of economic thought, philosophers of science and scholars interested in political economy, economic theory and economic methodology. |
From inside the book
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... Smith scholar still feels the need to advance his or her own solution to the problem . I am no exception , so the next two parts of the chapter take up this and the science issues . Adam Smith's View of Science As I have suggested , the ...
... view of markets where trade is free and equal coupled with a very pessimistic view not only of government action but ... Smith's view of slavery , colonialism , monopoly , and international trade under the mercantile policy are all ...
The Political Economy of Adam Smith Jeffrey T. Young. In Smith's view , the problem in Europe is rooted in the unreasonable restrictions that the institutions of primogeniture and entail place on landed property . Entails , for example ...
Contents
Markets as Social | 3 |
Natural Jurisprudence and the Theory of Value | 87 |
Adam Smith and the Just | 107 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown