How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life

An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness

By: Russ Roberts

Narrated by: Don Hagen

A forgotten book by one of history's greatest thinkers reveals the surprising connections between happiness, virtue, fame, and fortune. Adam Smith may have become the patron saint of capitalism after he penned his most famous work, The Wealth of Nations. But few people know that when it came to the behavior of individuals - the way we perceive ourselves, the way we treat others, and the decisions we make in pursuit of happiness - the Scottish philosopher had just as much to say. He developed his ideas on human nature in an epic, sprawling work titled The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Most economists have never read it, and for most of his life, Russ Roberts was no exception. But when he finally picked up the book by the founder of his field, he realized he’d stumbled upon what might be the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read. In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts examines Smith’s forgotten masterpiece, and finds a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom. Smith’s insights into human nature are just as relevant today as they were 300 years ago. What does it take to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place? Smith’s unexpected answers, framed within the rich context of current events, literature, history, and pop culture, are at once profound, counterintuitive, and highly entertaining. By reinvigorating Smith’s neglected classic, Roberts provides us with an invaluable look at human behavior through the lens of one of history’s greatest minds.

©2014 Russ Roberts (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself. Like having a conversation and a scotch with Adam Smith, or even better, Russ Roberts." (Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan)

"Russ Roberts has taken a brilliant but difficult classic - Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments - and written an engaging and inspiring meditation on virtue, friendship, and happiness. The result is a wonderful guide to living a good life." (Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind)

full of insights

A great book about the ethics of Adam Smith. He had a number of great insights on the human condition and our desires to find meaning without hurting reach other.

Interesting book

Well written and broken down. Efficient way to learn about this overlooked but still applicable book

Great thought provoking book.

I liked the switch back and forth between the writings of smith and the illustrative vignettes from now. For a weighty subject it is superbly done.

Good reminder of common sense

a good reminder of common sense in business and living with humans. Good principles for steady learning and earning. not so good or quick results or scam artisrs.

This is not the Adam Smith you thought you knew - great book

This was a fantastic book to listen too. It focuses on Adam Smith's thoughts on moral philosophy rather then just straight economics. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter looking at the different roles different economic systems play in different roles - ie in family compared to the broader market - and how they compliment each other to make everyone better off in long run. Well worth a listen to.

Smith lives

I read wealth of nations 35 years ago. I should have read this one. Better late than never.

Historically relevant in modern times.

Solid narration keeps the subject interesting and lessons well organized. A great guide that is as relevant for us today, as it was when written.

Excellent

Loved it! Provides modern day examples of Smith's lesser known book. Adam Smith can change your life.

Great contemporary summary of an an older text

Great contemporary summary of an an older text. The narrator is not super exciting but considering it’s about a book written over 200 years ago by an economist, it’s not too bad. I put on 1.5x speed to add a little excitement

Hard to distinguish Roberts from Smith in reading

The book is very good, but the otherwise solid performance has a near fatal flaw in that it's practically impossible to tell where Russ Roberts' text stops and the Adams passages begin (and vice versa.)

That said, the relevance of Smith's writings to the modern condition is incredible and this book provides a great condensation of Theory of Moral Sentiments.