3. Adam Smith (1723-1790)

Filmed as part of a second year course in social anthropology at Cambridge University in November 2001. For further writings on the social theorists and the background, please see www.alanmacfarlane.com

All revenue donated to: http://www.oralliterature.org/

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• Adam
• Smith
• Scotland
• economics

[hometubing]

To the people who were in that room for that lecture: You are very lucky to receive what in my opinion is the best summary of what was one of the greatest philosophers in the history of mankind.

To the lecturer: bravo. Thank you. I believe in the accuracy of your summary. I hope to find out your name and would love to discuss Adam Smith with you and plan to read about all the people you mentioned.

To anyone else: watch this video.

[ayabaya]

@hometubing

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. I agree. AS was not only the founder of modern economics, but an immensely wise and broad philosopher. If you go to my website (google 'Alan Macfarlane') and look under 'Ebooks' on the front, you will find my short book (a free downloadable pdf) on him, which you might enjoy. Best wishes and thanks again, Alan

[ElTresDeMayo1808]

Thumbs up if you just been educated :)

[nintendo007]

omg Adam smith is in my top 10 for influential people of history

[xXxoSNOWoxXx]

Wow, I just found myself a great youtube channel. Great lectures!

More courses and lectures without the cost of tuition! Yay!

[TheWinters1979]

thanks for uploading this...

[WSWarthog]

There is an awful sound round about the 4:30 mark

[Dullthud007]

Loved this. We live in a world of over simplified choices that have little effect on the things that matter. And I love the fact that one of the people often held as a totem for this state of affairs was actually far more nuanced and complex in his appraisal of these matters than 'they'd' have you believe. I also feel an idiot for never giving more weight to the actually fairly obvious historical context to the work.

[SuperBenzid]

I more consider Adam Smiths teaching as an instrument for forces of greed that already existed rather then actually changing anything it just gave permission to forces already in existence. This was an interesting speech no the less.

[BlueFrog83]

This video inspired me to read the wealth of nations. Its like 700 pages...but its a really good book. Its a great mix of history, sociology and economics. And their aint so much math in it:)

He was truly a great thinker. Read it.

[bakijani]

CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR UPLOADING THIS. A KENYAN MIND HAS BEEN ENRICHED THOROUGHLY TODAY

[AbleTheSpaceMonkey]

Odd that a historian should describe the Irish potato famine as the last great famine in European history (40 minutes in). I can only assume that the Donets Basin is not included in his Europe, or that the Holodomor was a hoax?.

Did not Turgot propose the same course for national wealth at an earlier date?. I enjoyed this lecture. For a cracking overview of classical liberal thought - to which Smith contributed- try listening to (or reading) Ralph Raico, on youtube or at mises.org.

[fitw]

adam smith has absent minded mind, he was the best thinker ever in philosophy , because of his accurate explanation about human natural behavior and emotion. his wealth of nation book are entirely based on the theory of moral sentiment, which revolved around human needs and behavior.