Psychoanalytic Studies of the Work of Adam Smith

‘This provocative and rich book offers not uncritical re-readings of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments from multiple psychoanalytic perspectives in order to reveal that the father of homo economicus anticipates important elements of Freudian moral psychology and social theory. The argument also reveals the humanity and generosity of the authors who invite us to reflect not just on the foundations of Smith's system, but also on our own reactions to his writings.’- Eric Schliesser, Professor of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

‘Şule Özler and □Paul A. Gabrinetti have written a wonderful book inter-translating Adam Smith and psychoanalysis. Explaining Freud’s work on empathy by Smith’s on sympathic is deeply helpful. This opens up opportunities for exploration since they tell us Freud himself knew Smith’s Weath of Nations as that of "a great philosopher and wit." For me, the most illuminating aspect the work is their use of Jung’s doctrine – all humans have a mix of feminine and masculine – to explain Smith’s difficult doctrine that "humanity is the virtue of a woman, generosity if a man" without having to appeal to innate differences among humans. Smith takes pains to assert the observed difference of the philosopher and the street porter are not fixed by nature but set by incentives, history, and luck, so Özler and Gabrinetti have offered a reading coherent with Smith’s larger doctrine.’ - David M. Levy, Professor of Economics, George Mason University, and Distinguished Fellow of the History of Economics Society, USA.