Corruption of workers, and education in commercial societies according to Adam Smith

Benoît Walraevens

Cahiers d’économie politique / Papers in Political Economy, 2011, issue 60, 11-44

Abstract: This article aims to show the originality and the richness of Smith’s analysis of the dehumanizing effects of the division of labour. First, I find out the origin of his analysis in the debates of civic humanism on the corruption of people’s character in commercial societies. Then I show that Smith presents a specific and broader concept of corruption based on his own ethical theory. To be more precise, the corruption of workers must be seen as a loss of the four cardinal virtues [prudence, justice, beneficence, and self-command) and as a weakening of their capacity to sympathize with others. Consequently, public education is supported by Smith on the ground that it fosters people’s civic and moral sentiments.

Keywords: Smith; division of labour; corruption; virtue; education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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