Writings on Economics

by David Hume (Editor)

Overview

Originally published in 1955, Eugene Rotwein's collection of David Hume's economic writings has become the criterion by which to measure studies of Hume's thinking on economics. Rotwein, in his extended introduction, masterfully examines the connection between Hume's various writings—economic, political, philosophical, and historical. This edition is graced with a new introduction by Margaret Schabas.

Hume belonged to the same generation as that of his friend and fellow countryman Adam Smith. Hume's writings on economics, however, unlike those of Smith's, comprise a relatively small portion of his published works. They consist of nine of twelve essays in his Political Discourses, first published in 1752, and a rather small number of passages in Hume's private letters to such correspondents as Smith, Montesquieu, Turgot, and Oswald. They were all brought together here for the first time in a single volume.

These writings sought to clarify the various problems of Hume's society and suggest remedies for their solution. They are still relevant for the modern reader. Included are "Of Commerce," "Of Refinement in the Arts," "Of Money," "Of Interest," "Of the Balance of Trade," "Of the Jealousy of Trade," "Of Taxes," "Of Public Credit," and "Of the Populousness of Ancient Nations," as well as the relevant extracts from Hume's letters. Long unavailable, this edition will be welcomed by students of economics, philosophy, and the Scottish Enlightenment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412806046
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	12/15/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	354
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

David Hume (1711-1776), along with Adam Smith and Thomas Reid, was one of the most important figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. His writings, which encompass philosophy, economics, and history, include A Treatise of Human Nature; Essays, Moral and Political; and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Eugene Rotwein (1918-2001) taught economics at Elmhurst College, the University of Wisconsin, and Queens College of the City University of New York, and was one of the foremost twentieth-century scholars on Hume.

Margaret Schabas is professor and head of philosophy at the University of British Columbia. She is the author of The Natural Origins of Economics and the co-editor, with Neil de Marchi, of Economies in the Age of Newton. Eugene Rotwein (1918-2001) taught economics at Elmhurst College, the University of Wisconsin, and Queens College of the City University of New York, and was one of the foremost twentieth-century scholars on Hume.

Table of Contents

Introduction; I: Chapter I: The Background; II: Chapter II: The Outlines Of The Natural History : Hume’s Economic Psychology; III: Chapter III: Hume’s Political Economy; IV: Chapter IV: Hume’s Economic Philosophy; V: Chapter V: Concluding Comments; Hume’s Essays On Economics; Of Commerce; * Of Refinement in the Arts 1; Of Money 1; Of Interest; Of the Balance of Trade 1; * Of the Jealousy of Trade; Of Taxes; Of Public Credit; Of the Populousness of Ancient Nations *; Relevant Extracts From Hume’s Correspondence 1749-1776; Hume to Montesquieu; Oswald to Hume; Hume To Oswald; Hume To Lord Kames; Tucker To Lord Kames; Turgot To Hume; Hume To Turgot; Turgot to Hume; Hume To Turgot; Turgot To Hume; Hume To Morellet; Hume To Adam Smith; Note on the Text