Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/191540 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
CHOPE Working Paper No. 2019-02
Publisher: 
Duke University, Center for the History of Political Economy (CHOPE), Durham, NC
Abstract: 
Commerce changes the production of wealth in a society as well as its ethics. What is appropriate in a non-commercial society is not necessarily appropriate in a commercial one. Adam Smith criticizes Stoic self-command in commercial societies, rather than embracing it, as is often suggested. He argues that Stoicism, with its promotion of indifference to passions, is an ethic appropriate for savages. Savages live in hard conditions where expressing emotions is detrimental and reprehensible. In contrast, the ease of life brought about by commerce fosters the appropriate expressions and sharing of emotions. Imposing Stoicism on a commercial society is therefore imposing an ethic for savages onto a refined society - something to abhor. Smith's rejection of Stoicism in commercial societies can thus be seen as a defense of commerce.
Subjects: 
Adam Smith
Stoicism
Commerce
Commercial Societies
Savages
Expression of Emotions
Insensitivity
JEL: 
B12
B15
D91
F69
O1
Z1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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