A Philosopher's Economist

"Margaret Schabas and Carl Wennerlind’s A Philosopher’s Economist is the first book-length study in English exclusively devoted to Hume’s economic thought. . . . this book, suitably co-written by a philosopher and a historian, is a landmark achievement. It offers a wide-ranging survey of Hume’s political economy and views on commercial and financial matters in the Political Discourses, other essays, and his philosophical and historical writings, as well as his private correspondence. Hume’s writings and observations are contextualized with an eye to both intellectual and economic history. In a word, A Philosopher’s Economist is essential reading for Hume scholars and historians of economic thought alike." * Journal of the History of Economic Thought *
"[Schabas and Wennerlind's] exceptional study is a welcomed contribution. . . . A Philosopher’s Economist is a serious piece of scholarship that is well-researched and artfully written." * LSE Review of Books *
“Justice cannot be done to this authoritative and nuanced book in a short review. It balances deep contextualisation with insightful retrospective appraisal.” * Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies *
"While Hume is not entirely ignored by scholars of economics, his economic ideas have not had the impact of his philosophical endeavors. Margaret Schabas and Carl Wennerlind, two researchers with important interventions in contemporary Hume scholarship, disagree with this trend in their new and provocative book, A Philosopher’s Economist: Hume and the Rise of Capitalism. The two authors attempt to prove that economics was the center of Hume’s intellectual preoccupations and that Hume’s role in the history of economics should be reconsidered – on the one hand he should be seen as a key figure both in the early epistemology of economics and in the development of the actual theories and tools of this academic field; on the other hand, Hume is also presented as an ardent defender of capitalism as a means to improve human happiness and achieve political stability. . ." * The Journal of Philosophical Economics: Reflections on Economic and Social Issues *
“There is at last a comprehensive study of David Hume’s economic writings and his economic life and times. A Philosopher’s Economist is illuminating, surprising, and a pleasure to read.” * Emma Rothschild, Harvard University *
“In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Schabas and Wennerlind demonstrate both that David Hume was one of the most important early theorists of capitalism and that economics ‘serves as a unifying thread’ in the philosopher’s life work. This book is essential reading for those interested in the history of capitalism, the Enlightenment, and the age of revolutions. It is also vital to understanding the underpinnings of modern economic debates.” * Steven Pincus, University of Chicago *
“Fascinating and illuminating. Schabas and Wennerlind trace the principles of economics as a unifying thread for all of Hume’s work. The result is an overdue and highly invigorating work that promises to remain relevant for a long time.” * Don Garrett, New York University *
"...this is an excellent book and a major contribution to the literature on a topic that was in need of attention. It is one those books that can change our view of the history of economics." -- Paul Oslington * History of Economics Review *
"The book is essentially a review of everything that Hume wrote on economics, organised by topic –economic methodology, property, moral improvement, money, international trade, and public finance. Schabas and Wennerlind are sure-footed guides to this material, attentive to textual detail and to historical context." * Journal of Economic Methodology *
“The best extant account of Hume’s economic theory. . . . Establishes the benchmark and is a distinguished contribution not only to Hume studies but to scholarship more widely.” * The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought *
"A Philosopher’s Economist is a well-organized, sharply focused, richly erudite, and beautifully narrated monograph on Hume’s economic thought—the product of many years of close academic collaboration between the two scholars. Though jointly authored, the book’s storytelling is so fluent and rigorous that it reads as if written by one author. . . . In short, Schabas and Wennerlind have presented us with an outstanding study of Hume’s economics for specialists and general readers alike. Without doubt, the book will soon establish itself as a modern classic in this genre and will maintain that status for the foreseeable future." * Eighteenth-Century Scotland *
"An excellent and readable book on Hume’s economic thought... Philosopher’s Economist provides a comprehensive insight into Hume not only as an economist, but also as a social scientist, and succeeds in testifying to the increasing importance of this Scottish intellectual giant." * Journal of the History of Philosophy *
"Undoubtedly an important contribution to one aspect of Hume’s extraordinary range of thought, the economic—based as it was on his underlying philosophy of the human condition." * 1650-1850: Ideas, Aesthetics, and Inquiries in the Early Modern Era *
"The specific virtues of [Schabas and Wennerlind's] book are many. First, it’s comprehensive. Not only does it span the whole wide range of economic concepts that Hume treats, it also deftly recounts Hume’s personal experiences in both politics and the market to show how these shaped his thought. Second, it displays several signature Humean virtues. In keeping with Hume’s call to proportion our beliefs to the evidence, it makes strong claims without overclaiming. In keeping with Hume’s commitment to industry, it addresses a remarkably wide range of questions in the secondary literature. And in keeping with Hume’s geniality, it’s written in an engaging and enjoyable style (no mean feat for a book on the specie-flow mechanism)." * Journal of Modern History *