
The Invisible Hand of the Market: The Theory of Moral Sentiments + The Wealth of Nations (2 Pioneering Studies of Capitalism) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Moral Foundations of MarketsBy Adam SmithLength59h 20m
About this audiobook
This volume brings together Adam Smith's two foundational works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations, revealing the moral and social architecture behind modern political economy. Far from presenting capitalism as mere self-interest, Smith's prose—measured, analytic, and steeped in Enlightenment rhetoric—situates commerce within sympathy, justice, prudence, and institutional order. Read together, these studies show how ethical life and market coordination are mutually entangled, and why the famous "invisible hand" belongs to a broader inquiry into human conduct. Adam Smith (1723–1790), Scottish moral philosopher and key figure of the Enlightenment, wrote from within the intellectual milieu of Glasgow and Edinburgh, where debates on virtue, jurisprudence, trade, and civic improvement flourished. His work reflects the influence of classical philosophy, natural law, empirical observation, and his close engagement with thinkers such as David Hume. His concern was not simply wealth, but the conditions under which societies become prosperous, stable, and humane. This book is essential for readers seeking the origins of economics without losing sight of its ethical foundations. Philosophers, historians, economists, and general readers will find it a demanding but indispensable guide to capitalism's promises, limits, and moral preconditions.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (81)
Includes Goodreads
GenreBusiness and Economics
Length59 hrs 20 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 10, 2013
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Invisible Hand of the Market: The Theory of Moral Sentiments + The Wealth of Nations (2 Pioneering Studies of Capitalism) (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Author Biography
4Historical Context
5Synopsis (Selection)
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Invisible Hand of the Market: The Theory of Moral Sentiments + The Wealth of Nations (2 Pioneering Studies of Capitalism)
7PART I (pt. 1)
8PART I (pt. 2)
9PART II
10PART III (pt. 1)
11PART III (pt. 2)
12PART IV
13PART V
14PART VI (pt. 1)
15PART VI (pt. 2)
16PART VII (pt. 1)
17PART VII (pt. 2)
18The Wealth of Nations
19Introduction and plan of the work
20Part 1 Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People (pt. 1)
21Part 1 Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People (pt. 2)
22Part 1 Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People (pt. 3)
23Part 1 Of the Causes of Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People (pt. 4)
24Part 2 Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock
25Part 3 Of the different Progress of Opulence in different Nations (pt. 1)
26Part 3 Of the different Progress of Opulence in different Nations (pt. 2)
27Part 3 Of the different Progress of Opulence in different Nations (pt. 3)
28Part 4 Of Systems of political Economy
291. Of the Unreasonableness of those Restraints even upon the Principles of the Commercial System
302. Of the Unreasonableness of those extraordinary Restraints upon other Principles (pt. 1)
312. Of the Unreasonableness of those extraordinary Restraints upon other Principles (pt. 2)
323. Of the Advantages which Europe has derived from the Discovery of America, and from that of a Passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope (pt. 1)
333. Of the Advantages which Europe has derived from the Discovery of America, and from that of a Passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope (pt. 2)
34Part 5 Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth
353. Of the Expense of Public Works and Public Institutions (pt. 1)
363. Of the Expense of Public Works and Public Institutions (pt. 2)
372. Of Taxes (pt. 1)
382. Of Taxes (pt. 2)
392. Of Taxes (pt. 3)
40Analysis
41Reflection
42Memorable Quotes