A riqueza das nações à luz da filosofia moral de Adam Smith

Abstract

Adam Smith, economist and philosopher of the Scottish Enlightenment, is mainly known for his work “The Wealth of Nations” (1776), which positioned him as a pioneer of economic liberalism. However, his earlier work, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” (1759), explores ethics and human morality, offering a philosophical basis that permeates his entire oeuvre. The study in question seeks to reinterpret “The Wealth of Nations” in the light of “The Theory of Moral Sentiments”, proposing a more complex and less caricatured view of Smith, often reduced to the stereotype of economic liberalism. This work is part of a critical movement which, since the end of the 20th century, has tried to align Smith's economic and ethical writings more closely, challenging the notion that there is a great discrepancy between these two aspects of his thought. It is argued that Smith presents a cohesive vision that integrates the economic and the moral, providing a deeper understanding of the human condition and society. The study emphasizes how Smith maintained a balanced and multidimensional perspective, incorporating concepts such as sympathy, prudence and self-control into his economic analysis. By recontextualizing “The Wealth of Nations” within the moral tradition that Smith never abandoned, the study aims not only at an academic reassessment, but also at highlighting the continued relevance and intellectual integrity of Smith's contributions to economics and ethics. In this way, Smith is reaffirmed as a crucial thinker in the development of political economy, whose ideas not only shaped modern economics, but also represented an era of analytical innovation.