A Philosopher's Economist

Hume and the Rise of Capitalism

Margaret Schabas, Carl Wennerlind (Autoren)

Buch | Hardcover

328 Seiten

2020
University of Chicago Press (Verlag)
978-0-226-59744-7 (ISBN)

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Although David Hume's contributions to philosophy are well known, his work on economics has been largely overlooked. A Philosopher's Economist offers the definitive account of Hume's "worldly philosophy," and argues that economics served as a unifying thread of his life and work. In this insightful monograph, Margaret Schabas and Carl Wennerlind show that Hume made important contributions to economic theory, for example on money, trade, and public finance. Hume's astute understanding of human behavior provided an important foundation to his economics and enabled him to follow through on the ethical and political dimensions of capitalism. He was also keen to connect his analysis with policy recommendations and sought to influence those in power. While he supported commercial modernization, because it would promote peaceful relations, foster learning, and soften religious zealotry, he was not an unqualified enthusiast. He recognized the potential of capitalism for instability and the rise of absolutism. Hume's imprint on modern economics is profound and far-reaching, both because of his influence on Adam Smith and Thomas Robert Malthus, and because of later admirers such as Friedrich Hayek and Paul Krugman. This book by Schabas and Wennerlind compels us to reconsider the centrality and legacy of Hume's economic thought--for both his time and ours--and serves as an important springboard for reflections on the philosophical underpinnings of economics.

Margaret Schabas is professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of A World Ruled by Number and The Natural Origins of Economics. Carl Wennerlind is professor of history at Barnard College and the author of Casualties of Credit. Together they previously co-edited David Hume's Political Economy.

List of Abbreviations and Modifications
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1. “A Rising Reputation”: Hume’s Lifelong Pursuit of Economics
Chapter 2. “A Cautious Observation of Human Life”: Hume on the Science of Economics
Chapter 3. “A More Virtuous Age”: Hume on Property and Commerce
Chapter 4. “That Indissoluble Chain of Industry, Knowledge, and Humanity”: Hume on Economic and Moral Improvement
Chapter 5. “Little Yellow or White Pieces”: Hume on Money and Banking
Chapter 6. “A Prayer for France”: Hume on International Trade and Public Finance
Chapter 7. “Our Most Excellent Friend”: Hume’s Imprint on Economics
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Erscheinungsdatum	14.04.2020
Sprache	englisch
Maße	152 x 229 mm
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Regional- / Ländergeschichte
	Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie
	Wirtschaft ► Allgemeines / Lexika
	Wirtschaft ► Volkswirtschaftslehre
ISBN-10	0-226-59744-X / 022659744X
ISBN-13	978-0-226-59744-7 / 9780226597447
Zustand	Neuware