The Adam Smith Review
Volume 12
📘 About This Book
Adam Smith’s contribution to economics is well recognised, yet scholars have recently been exploring anew the multidisciplinary nature of his works. The Adam Smith Review is a rigorously refereed annual review that provides a unique forum for interdisciplinary debate on all aspects of Adam Smith’s works, his place in history, and the significance of his writings to the modern world. It is aimed at facilitating debate among scholars working across the humanities and social sciences, thus emulating the reach of the Enlightenment world which Smith helped to shape. This twelfth volume brings together leading scholars from across several disciplines and contributes to two particular themes. First, there is a focus on Adam Smith’s moral and political philosophy, exploring how Smith’s approach finds expression in both abstract philosophy and practical judgment. Second, there is a focus on epistemology, economics, and law, with innovative interpretations of Smithian theories.
📖 Summary
The Adam Smith Review, edited by Fonna Forman and published in 2020 as its twelfth volume, serves as an extensive and rigorously refereed annual collection designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue surrounding the life, historical context, and enduring intellectual legacy of Adam Smith. While Smith's foundational contributions to the field of economics are universally acknowledged, contemporary scholarship increasingly emphasizes the deeply multidisciplinary character of his broader writings. Spanning over six hundred pages, this volume acts as a dynamic forum bringing together leading academics from diverse fields across the humanities and social sciences. In doing so, it mirrors the expansive, interconnected spirit of the Enlightenment era that Smith himself helped to shape and define. At its core, this installment of the review organizes its scholarly contributions around specific thematic pillars. The first major focus delves deeply into Adam Smith's moral and political philosophy, examining the intricate ways in which his overarching approach to human society, ethics, and governance underpins his economic theories. Rather than viewing Smith solely through the narrow lens of modern economic utility, the essays in this volume invite readers to appreciate the holistic nature of his thought, where commercial systems are inextricably linked to human psychology, sympathy, and social order. By re-examining these foundational philosophical frameworks, the contributors shed light on how Smith understood the complex interplay between individual motivations and communal well-being. Furthermore, the review extends its analytical reach to evaluate the profound significance of Smith's writings to the modern world. As contemporary society grapples with rapid economic shifts, globalization, and moral questions surrounding commerce and inequality, the volume demonstrates how Smith's insights continue to offer vital perspectives. The interdisciplinary debates featured within the text encourage scholars and researchers to look beyond traditional academic boundaries, bridging the gap between historical textual analysis and contemporary socio-economic challenges. Through its careful curation of essays and peer-reviewed articles, the book provides an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a richer, more nuanced understanding of an intellectual giant whose ideas continue to reverberate across generations. Ultimately, this twelfth volume of The Adam Smith Review stands as a testament to the ongoing vitality of Smith scholarship. By uniting voices from multiple academic disciplines, it prevents the pigeonholing of Smith as a mere pioneer of market mechanics, restoring him to his rightful place as a comprehensive moral philosopher, social scientist, and political thinker. It challenges readers to rethink established dogmas and to engage critically with the full scope of a corpus that helped mold the modern global landscape.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Offers rigorous, peer-reviewed interdisciplinary scholarship
Expands the traditional understanding of Adam Smith beyond pure economics
Brings together leading academic voices from multiple fields
Connects historical Enlightenment ideas to modern-world issues
⚠️ Cons
Academic density may be challenging for casual readers
Focused heavily on scholarly debate rather than a narrative introduction
❓ FAQ
What is the main focus of this volume? +
It focuses on Adam Smith's moral and political philosophy and his writings' significance to the modern world.
Who edited this volume? +
It was edited by Fonna Forman.
How many pages are in this book? +
The book spans 618 pages.
What academic disciplines are represented in the review? +
It includes contributions from scholars across the humanities and social sciences.
Is the content peer-reviewed? +
Yes, it is a rigorously refereed annual review.
