Adam Smith

Natural Theology and Its Implications for His Method of Social Inquiry

Bibliographic Data

ID9255574
AuthorsKwangsu Kim (0000-0002-9614-605X, a Sung Kyun Kwan University , Seoul, corresponding author)
Year1997
Volume55
Issue3
Pages312-336
Publication date1997-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Social Economy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0034-6764 • E-ISSN: 1470-1162
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00346769700000003
OpenAlexW2152729485
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited36

This paper sees a systematic unity between Smith's theological view and scientific study of society. Smith's theological outlook as to a benevolent deity is grasped as a metaphysical doctrine in his system of social science. It arises from the fact that while Smith's opinion concerning God's attributes is established, in the first instance, on the basis of his empirical study of nature, it also stands irrespective of other facts which are not in line with the patterns of order and design. Smith's metaphysical proposition as such is methodologically suggestive in that it proposes theoretical possibilities for progress and harmony and rules out the features of conflict at the analytic level. This implies a difficulty in subscribing to a conventional interpretation that introduces the “two Smiths's” view (the duality of his method and vision)

Adam smith · Doctrine · Economics · Epistemology · Harmony (color) · Interpretation (philosophy) · Metaphysics · Order (exchange) · Proposition · Sociology · Theology · Philosophical Ethics and Theory · Philosophy · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Religion, Gender, and Enlightenment

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