1st Edition

Writings on Economics

Edited By David Hume Copyright 2007
    354 Pages
    by Routledge

    354 Pages
    by Routledge

    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.

    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

    Biography

    David Hume