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The Hidden Adam Smith In His Alleged Theology

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  • KENNEDY, GAVIN

Abstract

The paper examines assertions that Adam Smith was in some sense a Christian, and examines how much current opinion ignores his biography and the dangerous religious context of eighteenth-century Scotland. Zealots regularly intervened against suspected heresy, which created an atmosphere of intimidation. Adam Smith’s biography shows that he too was intimidated, and avoided scandals that would upset his very religious mother, for whom he felt a special protective bond, and that he hid his private skepticism to ensure that nothing he published would provoke the zealots. A close reading of his Works shows how he amended them consistently as he grew older to modify their religious content, particularly after his mother died in 1784, and up to just before he died in 1790.

Suggested Citation

  • Kennedy, Gavin, 2011. "The Hidden Adam Smith In His Alleged Theology," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 33(3), pages 385-402, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:jhisec:v:33:y:2011:i:03:p:385-402_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Gavin Kennedy, 2015. "Adam Smith's Use of the 'Gravitation' Metaphor," Economic Thought, World Economics Association, vol. 4(1), pages 67-79, March.
    2. Matson, Erik W., 2021. "The Edifying Discourses of Adam Smith: Focalism, Commerce, and Serving the Common Good," OSF Preprints uye54, Center for Open Science.
    3. Erik W. Matson, 2022. "What is liberal about Adam Smith's “liberal plan”?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 89(2), pages 593-610, October.
    4. Santori, Paolo & Assistant, JHET, 2021. "Idleness and the Very Sparing Hand of God: The invisible tie between Hume’s "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" and Smith’s "Wealth of Nations"," OSF Preprints r2uje, Center for Open Science.
    5. Clark, Michael J., 2021. "Adam Smith as Solon: Accommodating on the edges of liberty, not abandoning it," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 739-747.

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