Download file 88 KB Texto completo en español More of: Leonidas  Montes

The purpose of this presentation is to analyze the less well-known face of Adam Smith regarding his relationship to liberalism and Christianity. It begins with a brief look at his life in order to clarify certain matters regarding his work. It then analyzes the political and economic context underlying the publication of the Wealth of Nations, highlighting its differences with mercantilism and physiocrats. In the third part, through a review of the functions that Adam Smith assigned to government, he questions the image of the father of economics as a defender of laissez faire, noting other elements that might have influenced his thought. It is also proposed that his original position regarding religions may be considered additional evidence that the father of economics was a practicing agnostic. The presentation ends with some brief conclusions and a personal opinion on the issue as to whether one can be Catholic and a liberal, the subject of the conference cycle in which this essay was presented.