Casual [Wiley] Adam Smith 9781509518234

This new introduction gives a crystal clear overview of the entirety of Smiths thought. It demonstrates how Smiths economic theories fit into a larger system of thought that encompasses moral philosophy, philosophy of science, legal and political theory, and aesthetics. Examining the central arguments of his major works, ranging from The Theory of Moral Sentiments to his lectures on jurisprudence and beyond, Smiths thought is explained in its full intellectual and historical context. As the book unfolds, the longstanding caricature of Adam Smith as an uncritical defender of capitalism red in tooth and claw is systematically challenged, revealing a far more complex and nuanced figure whose rich legacy remains highly relevant today.