After two centuries, Adam Smith remains a genus in the history of economic thought. Smith is known primarily for a single work, The Wealth of Nations, the first proposed system of a political economy. Smith is properly regarded as a social philosopher. His life and The Wealth of Nations is not just a part of economics but a facilitator of historical evolution.Unfortunately, much more is known about Smith's ideas than his life. Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, he was baptized on June 5, 1723, in Kikcaldy, a small town. Smith's childhood is rather unknown besides the fact that he received his elementary schooling in Kirkcaldy. By the age of four years he was said to have been ... Showed first 120 words of 1379 Size (words) ...

... Continuing with another 115 out of 1379 Size (words) ...is often supposed to be. Although Smith preached laissez-faire (with important exceptions), his argument was directed as much against monopoly as government. Although he praises social results of the acquisitive process, he almost invariably treated the manners and maneuvers of businessmen with contempt. He did not see the commercial system itself as admirable. He wrote about intellectual degradation of workers in society, were labor excels and were the specialized worker "generally becomes as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human being to become". Smith expresses need for control.

Over the years, Smith's glow as a social philosopher has escaped much of the weathering that effects the reputations of other first-rate political economists. ...Essay still continues 100 more words...