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Adam Smith'S Economics And The Lectures On Rhetoric And Belles Lettres. The Language Of Commerce

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  • Benoît Walraevens

    (PHARE - Pôle d'Histoire de l'Analyse et des Représentations Économiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)

Abstract

Among the abundant literature devoted to Adam Smith's complete works, there has been a relative lack of interest in the Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, especially from historians of economic thought. I want to show that this youth's work is essential in understanding Smith's conception of economic exchange. The analogy between the exchange of sentiments, opinions and goods is developed so that man may be seen as a 'commercial' animal. Economic transactions are seen as means for men to get the pleasures of social life and self approbation. Instead of highlighting man's autonomy and selfishness, Smith underlines the ethical character of economic agents made of justice, prudence, and self command, and their willingness to be approved by their fellows and by the impartial spectator.

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  • Benoît Walraevens, 2010. "Adam Smith'S Economics And The Lectures On Rhetoric And Belles Lettres. The Language Of Commerce," Post-Print halshs-00761780, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00761780
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00761780
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    1. Elias L. Khalil, 2005. "An anatomy of authority: Adam Smith as political theorist," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 29(1), pages 57-71, January.
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    4. Montes, Leonidas, 2003. "Das Adam Smith Problem: Its Origins, the Stages of the Current Debate, and One Implication for Our Understanding of Sympathy," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 25(1), pages 63-90, March.
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    7. Force,Pierre, 2003. "Self-Interest before Adam Smith," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521830607, September.
    8. Spencer J. Pack, 1991. "Capitalism as a Moral System," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 346.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Marie Daou & Alain Marciano, 2022. "Commodification: The traditional pro-market arguments," Post-Print hal-03876907, HAL.

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