Every economist knows about the invisible hand. Most have encountered the quote from The Wealth of Nations on how we owe our dinner to the butcher's, brewer's, and baker's self-interest rather than their benevolence. However, only few have actually engaged with Adam Smith's work and so are familiar with the larger theoretical context of these famous snippets. The purpose of this course is to provide precisely for such engagement, through a close reading of selected portions not just of The Wealth of Nations but also Smith's earlier The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Participants will emerge from the course with a real understanding of Adam Smith the philosopher and economist, one that reaches beyond the buzzwords.
- Enseignant·e: Micha Gläser