Both Smith and Malthus would disagree with the notion that capitalism is founded on vice.  Smith provides reasons for his opposition to this
in the Theory of Moral Sentiments.  Human nature is variable, not constant.


Scot A. Stradley, Ph.D.
Professor of Finance
Offutt School of Business
Concordia College
Moorhead, MN 56562

________________________________________
From: Societies for the History of Economics [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Médaille [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2011 4:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SHOE] Adam Smith, the "Founding Father" of Modern Economics?

Let me suggest that Capitalism does have a founding father, but it's not Smith, it's Mandeville, and everything written since is but a commentary, intentionally or not, on the subtitle of the Fable of the Bees: Private Vices, Publick Benefits.

John