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Adam Smith's Political Philosophy: The Invisible Hand and Spontaneous Order
Contributor(s): Smith, Craig (Author)
ISBN: 0415360943     ISBN-13: 9780415360944
Publisher: Routledge
OUR PRICE:   $171.00  
Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats
Published: November 2005
Qty:
Annotation:

When Adam Smith published his celebrated writings on economics and moral philosophy he famously referred to the operation of an invisible hand. "Adam Smith's Political Philosophy" makes visible the invisible hand by examining its significance in Smith's political philosophy and relating it to similar concepts used by other philosophers, revealing a distinctive approach to social theory that stresses the significance of the unintended consequences of human action.
This book introduces greater conceptual clarity to the discussion of the invisible hand and the related concept of unintended order in the work of Smith and in political theory more generally. By examining the application of spontaneous order ideas in the work of Smith, Hume, Hayek and Popper, "Adam Smith's Political Philosophy" traces similarities in approach and from these builds a conceptual, composite model of an invisible hand argument. While setting out a clear model of the idea of spontaneous order the book also builds the case for using the idea of spontaneous order as an explanatory social theory, with chapters on its application in the fields of science, moral philosophy, law and government.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | History & Theory - General
- Political Science | Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism
- Social Science | Sociology - General
Dewey: 320.512
LCCN: 2005003077
Series: Routledge Studies in Social and Political Thought
Physical Information: 0.68" H x 6.96" W x 9.46" (1.02 lbs) 220 pages
 
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Publisher Description:

When Adam Smith published his celebrated writings on economics and moral philosophy he famously referred to the operation of an 'invisible hand'. Adam Smith's Political Philosophy makes visible this hand by examining its significance in Smith's political philosophy and relating it to similar concepts used by other philosophers, thus revealing a distinctive approach to social theory that stresses the importance of the unintended consequences of human action.

The first book to examine the history of Smith's political philosophy from this perspective, this work introduces greater conceptual clarity to the discussion of the invisible hand and the related notion of unintended order in the work of Smith, as well as in political theory more generally.

By examining the application of spontaneous order ideas in the work of Smith, Hume, Hayek and Popper, this important volume traces similarities in approach, and from these constructs a conceptual, composite model of an invisible hand argument. While setting out a clear framework of the idea of spontaneous order, the book also builds the case for using this as an explanatory social theory, with chapters on its application in the fields of science, moral philosophy, law and government.