Adam Smith's foundational idea of sympathetic persuasion

Abstract

This paper investigates the rather neglected relevance of persuasion in Smith's corpus and its foundational character. Smith's permanent and comprehensive concern with persuasion pervades his entire legacy. But, fully aware of the risks of this strong 'human desire' or 'instinct' to 'lead and direct other people', Smith develops what can be labelled as sympathetic persuasion. The moral, political and economic implications of Smith's persuasion provide a common, consistent and foundational concept for his ideal of a civilized and free society. Finally, this interpretation of the importance of Smith's persuasion allows us to overcome the famous Das Adam Smith Problem.