{"product_id":"self-interest-before-adam-smith-a-genealogy-of-economic-science-hardback-9780521830607","title":"Self-Interest before Adam Smith; A Genealogy of Economic Science (Hardback) 9780521830607","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eSelf-Interest before Adam Smith\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eA Genealogy of Economic Science\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA conceptual and historical inquiry into the concept of self-interest before Adam Smith.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003ePierre Force (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521830607, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eHardback, published 4 September 2003\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e298 pages\u003cbr\u003e22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.61 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSelf-Interest before Adam Smith inquires into the foundations of economic theory. It is generally assumed that the birth of modern economic science, marked by the publication of The Wealth of Nations in 1776, was the triumph of the 'selfish hypothesis' (the idea that self-interest is the motive of human action). Yet, as a neo-Epicurean idea, this hypothesis had been a matter of controversy for over a century and Smith opposed it from a neo-Stoic point of view. But how can the Epicurean principles of orthodox economic theory be reconciled with the Stoic principles of Adam Smith's philosophy? Pierre Force shows how Smith's theory refutes the 'selfish hypothesis' and integrates it at the same time. He also explains how Smith appropriated Rousseau's 'republican' critique of modern commercial society, and makes the case that the autonomy of economic science is an unintended consequence of Smith's 'republican' principles.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eAcknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e Introduction\u003cbr\u003e 1. Self-interest as a first principle\u003cbr\u003e 2. Epicurean vs. stoic schemes\u003cbr\u003e 3. Self-interest and reason\u003cbr\u003e 4. Passions, interests and society\u003cbr\u003e 5. Interested and disinterested commerce\u003cbr\u003e 6. Self-interest and the public good\u003cbr\u003e Conclusion\u003cbr\u003e Bibliography\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Political science \u0026amp; theory [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Political science \u0026amp; theory\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Political%20science%20\u0026amp;%20theory%20%5BJPA%5D%22\"\u003eJPA\u003c\/a\u003e], History of ideas [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of ideas\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20ideas%20%5BJFCX%5D%22\"\u003eJFCX\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46265191825688,"sku":"9780521830607","price":73.79,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521830607i.jpg?v=1692020357","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/self-interest-before-adam-smith-a-genealogy-of-economic-science-hardback-9780521830607","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}