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The philosophical foundations of authority in Adam Smith: wealth, admiration, and systems
[Les fondements philosophiques de l'autorité chez Adam Smith : richesse, admiration et systèmes]

Author

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  • Thiago Vargas

    (PHARE - Philosophie, Histoire et Analyse des Représentations Économiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, USP - Universidade de São Paulo = University of São Paulo)

Abstract

This article explores the philosophical foundations of Adam Smith's concept of authority, focusing on its connections to ‘admiration' and the ‘love of systems'. Its primary objective is to analyse how Smith integrates moral, epistemological, and aesthetic principles into his political philosophy to explain the subordination conferred by wealth, which he identifies as the most effective form of authority. Drawing on the Wealth of Nations, Lectures on Jurisprudence, and Theory of Moral Sentiments, the article argues that Smith sees authority as rooted in human tendencies to admire systems that harmonize and explain phenomena while evoking beauty and coherence. Furthermore, this admiration includes social and political arrangements. As a result, political systems that ‘promote happiness' are admired for their practical benefits and their ability to evoke a sense of beauty: like finely crafted machines, they inspire admiration through their elegance and order.

Suggested Citation

  • Thiago Vargas, 2024. "The philosophical foundations of authority in Adam Smith: wealth, admiration, and systems [Les fondements philosophiques de l'autorité chez Adam Smith : richesse, admiration et systèmes]," Post-Print hal-04841168, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04841168
    DOI: 10.1080/01916599.2024.2430948
    as

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