Adam Smith Reading Group

Friday, February 24, 2023 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EST
Buchanan Hall, D180

The reading group meets five Fridays a semester, from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, in Buchanan Hall D180 (in person only, an online option is not available) and is graciously supported in part by The Institute for Humane Studies.

This term (Spring 2023) we will read selections from David Hume, Essays Moral, Political, and Literary, ed. E.F. Miller, Liberty Fund, 1987. Online access to the publication can be found here.  We have some copies of the books available for graduate students. Interested students should write to ematson@mercatus.gmu.edu.

Articles in bold are the focal readings for this session, the remainder are optional:

Pages 80–137; 181-252

• “Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature"
• “Of Civil Liberty”
• “Of Eloquence”
• “Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences”
• [The four essays "The Epicurean," "The Stoic", "The Platonist," and "The Sceptic" will be treated in an additional optional Zoom meeting.]
• “Of Polygamy and Divorce”
• “Of Simplicity and Refinement in Writing”
• “Of National Characters”
• “Of Tragedy”
• “Of the Standard of Taste”

For more information on the Adam Smith Reading Group, click here.