Adam Smith Understood That We Need Each Other

THE THINKER’S VIEWS OF HUMAN SYMPATHY, BENEFICENCE, JUSTICE, AND THE DIVISION OF LABOR STILL RESONATE.

- VERNON SMITH

SCOTLAND AND EDINBURGH in the latter half of the 18th century were uncommonly prolific of genius. This year we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Adam Smith, and the coming years will see similar milestones for David Hume, James Watt, and many others.

Why, or how, did these scholars give us modern free liberal social and economic communities, constitutions, and nations? I think it was because they created an unsurpassed community of themselves, meeting in “societies” regularly for seminars in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and for dinner every Sunday in Smith’s home in Canongate, across High Street from the sidewalk statue of Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famed poet.

Scotland was famous for its “clubs and societies,” regular seminars that met in pubs for discussion and debate. Unlike the university seminars of today, largely limited to departments and visitors, these were in the community and included the university, independent scholars (Hume’s skepticism blocked him from a university appointment, but not invitations to converse), outside visitors (Benjamin Franklin was known to make an appearance), townspeople, merchants, and professionals.

Smith was a member of two of these groups, the Literary Society in Glasgow and the Political Economy Society. He was also a consummate host. “Smith’s house was noted for its simple and unpretending hospitality,” wrote John Rae in his 1895 Life of Adam Smith. “He liked to have his friends about him without the formality of an invitation.”

SMITH’S THEORY OF HUMAN SOCIABILITY AND SELF-COMMAND