Adam Smith the Origin behind Economics

Throughout the contemporary education system within the United States the founding fathers of our nation are exalted onto a pedi stool. We often fail to recognize geniuses beyond a United States citizenship. However, many individual scholars built the foundation of economics that laid a foundation for the United States to rise to a supremacy. Adam Smith, a modern day economist, was of Scottish descent and maintained residency in the United Kingdom during the late 1700's. Smith is most commonly recognized for his works, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" and "The Wealth of Nations".  "The Wealth of Nations" is renowned for it's position as

Many stand firm within the opinion that ethics/morals must be set aside in order for true economic prosperity to occur. Adam Smith, the founding father of capitalism and free market economy was a philosopher and economist. To Imagine the controversy and internal arguments within the mind of Smith concerning public policy and political philosophy can leave one in awe of the vast number of accomplishments Smith holds to his name. Smith recognized that is economic liberty played within a nation it created the ability for human flourishing. 

Human Flourishing is critical for economical flourishing. Its like a math equation, without human flourishing one simply cannot achieve economic flourishing. Human flourishing and capitalism sound night and day different, however they go hand in hand. Before the establishment of America the mindset of humanity was narrow-minded, thinking only of building wealth for one's self. This narrow mindset allowed the minority of the wealthy to get richer and the majority of the poor to get poorer. Adam Smith concluded that "The measure of the good society is thus at least the state of the worst off than of the well off".

Throughout Adam Smith's work one can formulate an opinion that Smith cared more for the well-being of people than the financial success of a nation. I think that's what made our nation so unique, for the first time in history leaders took a step back and evaluated the sanctity of life and the value behind human flourishing. A nation can be well off financially but if the people are not happy and in support of their nation the nation will fall. It is critical for a people to have a motivation to strive to be the best.  

Human Flourishing may sound blissful dazzled with rainbows and sunshine, however it becomes gruesomely competitive as capitalism takes precedence. Okay, so basically give humanity freedom to prosper, enrich their minds and life with liberty and then grab them by the grips of capitalism and motivate to become the best and climb the latter of success.




As Smith uses his philosophical and economical knowledge in a complete balance he begins to provoke question within the thought and mind of the reader. What is our economical strength is it numbers and statistics or rather physiologically studying the minds of humanity and creating a system that best serves humanity?

Smith describes human flourishing in three separate categories; economic flourishing, political flourishing, and moral flourishing. As Smith first introduced the concept of economical flourishing traditionally many disagreed with his stance that the poor should be given the opportunity to rise to success because it would provoke laziness and a lack of motivation within the workforce. The question is what motivation did they have without the promotion of economic flourishing. They had none, they would never climb the ladder of success because it was nearly impossible. Political flourishing is something introduced by Smith that is still being ironed out in our contemporary government today. Smith stood for the justice that a government must stand for order to promote and build the people that would only give back and build strength within society.

Smith makes a bold claim our happiness is woven n with the happiness of others. People need the ability to rely on comparison with itself and others. If one clearly sees that they are at the top of success they begin to loose motivation to grow and prosper therefore lower the expectations and goals of humanity in general. Man naturally has a selfish desire placed within them so why in the means of economic prosperity bring out the best of that desire and use it to grow economics worldwide.

Throughout this passage in general one learns more about the human brain than the mathematical equations behind economics. Often we get so caught up in specifics and statistics behind economics that we forget to go back to the original root of economics which is the brain and the science behind it.