The Division of Labor in Plato and Smith

Foley, Vernard

doi:10.1215/00182702-6-2-220

Cited by 27 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…4. Such as: Fiori and Pesciarelli (1999); Foley (1974); Groenewegan (1977);Hosseini, (1998); Meek and Skinner (1973); Rashid (1986); and Waszek (1983).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson and Karl Marx on the Division of Labour

Hill

2007

Journal of Classical Sociology

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Adam Smith (1723-90) and Adam Ferguson (1723-1816) shared a keen interest in the social, economic and individual effects of specialization. Though this mutual interest led to a protracted priority dispute between them, nevertheless their approaches differed significantly. Ferguson was generally more negative in his attitude and was also less interested in the economic effects of specialization, focusing instead on its adverse social ramifications. In fact, his work on the subject probably constitutes the first fully developed sociological account of the topic. Karl Marx quoted Ferguson approvingly and declared that he had been inspired by the latter's insights. But Smith too made some extremely negative and apparently pessimistic observations about the division of labour, giving rise to suggestions that his comments also 'constitute a major source of inspiration for the socialist critique' of commercialism. This article compares and contrasts the respective approaches of the two Scots. It also pays particular attention to claims that there are parallels with Marx in their thinking. To what extent is this true? Further, if it is true, do they anticipate him in the same way?KEYWORDS alienation, division of labour, Durkheim, Ferguson, inequality, Smith, Spencer, Marx, workThe division of labour, 1 and its social and economic effects, has long been an important theme in the history of economic and sociological thought. In this article I highlight and contrast the work of thinkers whose contributions exerted considerable influence over subsequent elaborators of the concept. Though Adam Smith (1723-90) and Adam Ferguson (1723-1816) were neither the first nor last to discuss the effects of the division of labour, 2 it would not be an exaggeration to

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“…4. Such as: Fiori and Pesciarelli (1999); Foley (1974); Groenewegan (1977);Hosseini, (1998); Meek and Skinner (1973); Rashid (1986); and Waszek (1983).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson and Karl Marx on the Division of Labour

Hill

2007

Journal of Classical Sociology

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“…12-14, 16;Silvermintz, 2010). His detailed contribution to this aspect of economic doctrine is regarded highly by some commentators; some even claim that it was the inspiration for Adam Smith's seminal account in the latter half of the eighteenth century (Karayiannis, 1990, p. 18;Smith, 1776;Foley, 1974). Specialization is discussed in a wide range of Platonic dialogues and explicitly endorsed in the Laws [55].…”

Section: The Republic: Political Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

The foundations of the ethical tradition of economics: Plato's Republic

Alvey

2011

International Journal of Social Economics

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Purpose -Economics was closely entwined with ethics up to the 1930s when this weakened subsequently. Amartya Sen first sketched this historical relationship in his book, On Ethics and Economics. This paper is in broad agreement with Sen. It aims to explore the ethical foundations of economics in ancient Greece, focussing on Plato's Republic. Design/methodology/approach -Key aspects of Sen's ethical framework (ethical motivation, human well-being, and social achievement) are used as a template to re-investigate Plato's work. A close reading of Plato's Republic is undertaken in order to demonstrate the foundations of economics as an ethical enterprise. Findings -First, Plato argues that there is a range of motivations and behaviors along an ethical scale. For Plato, the goal is to try to establish what constitutes ethical behavior and then seek conditions suitable to bring it about. Second, in the Republic, one sees an outline of Plato's understanding of human well-being. Human functioning (physical and mental flourishing, including friendship), and gender equality are key parts of his picture. Third, Plato is painting the picture of a utopian society in the Republic. In discussions of the ideal society, the economy, laws, and other policies must be set within an ethical framework. In several respects, Plato anticipates Sen's capabilities approach to economics. Originality/value -In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to developing and extending Sen's Capability Framework. Part of that work has been devoted to tracing the origins of Sen's approach back to Aristotle. This paper represents the first attempt to trace that framework back further, to Plato's Republic.

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“…Algunos autores incluso han acercado la división del trabajo Smithiana a la platónica. Foley (1974Foley ( y 1975, por ejemplo, dice que, aunque la forma de encajar hombre y ocupación es distinta en Smith y Platón, la visión de Smith de la homogeneidad del trabajo emerge de fuentes clásicas, y tal vez de Platón. Para una réplica a Foley ver McNulty (1975) y para una discusión del debate, ver Vivenza (2001, pp.…”

Section: Empresa Y Costes De Transacciónunclassified

Costes de transacción vs costes de jerarquía en la provisión de bienes: una interpretación de la teoría smithiana

Aznar

2007

RHE / JILAEH

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ResumenEn la teoría de Adam Smith, las jerarquías económicas nunca pueden reducir los costes de transacción del mercado. Para demostrarlo, el artículo estudia la definición de libertad Smithiana, que lleva a que cualquier imposición sobre la actividad independiente y creativa sea «costosa». También explica el tratamiento del tema de la provisión de bienes privados y públicos en la Riqueza de las Naciones. Por tanto, por un lado se describe la naturaleza de la empresa, que provee bienes privados, y por otro la provisión de bienes públicos, es decir, en el caso de la teoría de Smith, las instituciones que facilitan el comercio en general y las que facilitan la instrucción del pueblo.

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The Division of Labor in Plato and Smith

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson and Karl Marx on the Division of Labour

Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson and Karl Marx on the Division of Labour

The foundations of the ethical tradition of economics: Plato's Republic

Costes de transacción vs costes de jerarquía en la provisión de bienes: una interpretación de la teoría smithiana

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