Overview

Lessons on how to live a more virtuous and happy life from the legendary economist What does an economist who died in 1790 have to say about the moral life, the good life, the mystery of human interaction, and the place that ambition and fame play in our lives? Plenty. The Wealth of Nations remains a pillar in economic theory, but Adam Smith considered his other, lesser-known great work a superior book. Economics professor Russell Roberts always meant to read The Theory of Moral Sentiments, and when he finally did, it changed his life. Rather than read the dense tome, Roberts has devised an ingenious way to 'channel' Adam Smith by presenting his lessons in an accessible and fun way.

Full Product Details

9780241003206

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Can economists teach us how to live a good life? When the economists in question are Adam Smith and Russ Roberts, the answer is a definitive yes. Roberts shines a fresh light on Smith's ideas about morality and human nature and finds they hold up remarkably well in the 21st century. A fun, fascinating, and original book that will challenge you to become a better version of yourself' -- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself. Like having a conversation and a scotch with Adam Smith, or even better, Russ Roberts -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan Roberts whisks the reader through Smith's hidden gem and skilfully blends modern examples with Smith's original, leaving you wanting to tackle his masterpiece Financial Times Adam Smith was not just an economist; he had penetrating insights into human nature that informed his rich, subtle, and rev-olutionary approach to moral philosophy. Russ Roberts combines a deep understanding of what Smith was on about with a fluent writing style to bring out the surprisingly modern implications of Smith's thinking -- Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist 'Russ Roberts has taken a brilliant but difficult classic - Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments - and written an engaging and inspiring meditation on virtue, friendship, and happiness. The result is a won-derful guide to living a good life' -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind

'Russ Roberts has taken a brilliant but difficult classic - Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments - and written an engaging and inspiring meditation on virtue, friendship, and happiness. The result is a won-derful guide to living a good life' -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind Adam Smith was not just an economist; he had penetrating insights into human nature that informed his rich, subtle, and rev-olutionary approach to moral philosophy. Russ Roberts combines a deep understanding of what Smith was on about with a fluent writing style to bring out the surprisingly modern implications of Smith's thinking -- Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist 'Can economists teach us how to live a good life? When the economists in question are Adam Smith and Russ Roberts, the answer is a definitive yes. Roberts shines a fresh light on Smith's ideas about morality and human nature and finds they hold up remarkably well in the 21st century. A fun, fascinating, and original book that will challenge you to become a better version of yourself' -- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself. Like having a conversation and a scotch with Adam Smith, or even better, Russ Roberts -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan [Adam Smith's] moral values are rather neglected ... Happily, Russ Roberts has digested, condensed and commented upon Smith's theories of the good life ... the pursuit of happiness is not the pursuit of money * The Times * Roberts whisks the reader through Smith's hidden gem and skilfully blends modern examples with Smith's original, leaving you wanting to tackle his masterpiece * Financial Times *

Roberts whisks the reader through Smith's hidden gem and skilfully blends modern examples with Smith's original, leaving you wanting to tackle his masterpiece Financial Times [Adam Smith's] moral values are rather neglected ... Happily, Russ Roberts has digested, condensed and commented upon Smith's theories of the good life ... the pursuit of happiness is not the pursuit of money The Times A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself. Like having a conversation and a scotch with Adam Smith, or even better, Russ Roberts -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan 'Can economists teach us how to live a good life? When the economists in question are Adam Smith and Russ Roberts, the answer is a definitive yes. Roberts shines a fresh light on Smith's ideas about morality and human nature and finds they hold up remarkably well in the 21st century. A fun, fascinating, and original book that will challenge you to become a better version of yourself' -- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive Adam Smith was not just an economist; he had penetrating insights into human nature that informed his rich, subtle, and rev-olutionary approach to moral philosophy. Russ Roberts combines a deep understanding of what Smith was on about with a fluent writing style to bring out the surprisingly modern implications of Smith's thinking -- Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist 'Russ Roberts has taken a brilliant but difficult classic - Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments - and written an engaging and inspiring meditation on virtue, friendship, and happiness. The result is a won-derful guide to living a good life' -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind

Author Information

Russ Roberts is the John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He hosts the award-winning weekly pod-cast EconTalk and is the author of three economics novels, including The Price of Everything- A Parable of Possibility and Prosperity. He is also the co-creator of the Keynes-Hayek rap videos which have been viewed over seven million times on YouTube.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available