Erik W. Matson

Mercatus Center at George Mason University

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor

Arlington, VA 22201

United States

SCHOLARLY PAPERS

33

DOWNLOADS
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Top 27,154

in Total Papers Downloads

3,660

SSRN CITATIONS
Rank 19,498

SSRN RANKINGS

Top 19,498

in Total Papers Citations

61

CROSSREF CITATIONS

10

Scholarly Papers (33)

1.

The Man within the Breast, the Supreme Impartial Spectator, and Other Impartial Spectators in Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments

GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 18-04, Forthcoming in: History of European Ideas
Number of pages: 33 Posted: 16 Mar 2018 Last Revised: 24 Sep 2018
Daniel B. Klein, Erik W. Matson and Colin Doran
George Mason University - Department of Economics, Mercatus Center at George Mason University and George Mason University - Department of Economics
Downloads 358 (161,521)
Citation 10

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Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, philosophy, the impartial spectator, the man within the breast

2.

Mere-Liberty in David Hume

Forthcoming, A Companion to David Hume (Universidad Francisco Marroquin), GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 18-14
Number of pages: 40 Posted: 07 Jun 2018 Last Revised: 14 Oct 2020
Daniel B. Klein and Erik W. Matson
George Mason University - Department of Economics and Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 253 (231,987)
Citation 1

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commutative justice, jural relationships, jural dualism, convention, focal point, mutual coordination, Adam Smith

3.

Hume and Smith on Utility, Agreeableness, Propriety, and Moral Approval

GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 17-01, History of European Ideas Forthcoming
Number of pages: 62 Posted: 12 Dec 2016 Last Revised: 21 Nov 2018
Erik W. Matson, Colin Doran and Daniel B. Klein
Mercatus Center at George Mason University, George Mason University - Department of Economics and George Mason University - Department of Economics
Downloads 245 (239,330)
Citation 5

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Adam Smith, David Hume, Theory of Moral Sentiments, utility, propriety

4.

What's Liberal About Adam Smith's 'Liberal Plan'?

Southern Economic Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/soej.12601
Number of pages: 18 Posted: 25 May 2021 Last Revised: 23 Aug 2022
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 210 (277,145)
Citation 4

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Adam Smith, the liberal plan, economic freedom, increasing returns to scale, high wages, liberalism

5.

A Brief History of the Editions of the Theory of Moral Sentiments

Adam Smith Works
Number of pages: 17 Posted: 29 Oct 2020 Last Revised: 20 Jul 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 185 (312,464)

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Adam Smith; Theory of Moral Sentiments; Moral Education; Commerce; Science of Man

6.

A Review Essay of Dennis Rasmussen, 'The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought'

Number of pages: 7 Posted: 12 Dec 2017
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 184 (312,464)
Citation 2

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David Hume, Adam Smith, Dennis Rasmussen, The Infidel and the Professor

7.

A Dialectical Reading of Adam Smith on Wealth and Happiness

Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 37 Posted: 05 Nov 2018 Last Revised: 20 Nov 2020
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 170 (335,391)
Citation 3

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Adam Smith, happiness, wealth, moral education, prudence

8.

David Hume on Reason as a Passion

GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 15-13
Number of pages: 8 Posted: 06 Mar 2015 Last Revised: 04 May 2018
Daniel B. Klein and Erik W. Matson
George Mason University - Department of Economics and Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 167 (340,558)

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David Hume, reason, passion, calm passion

9.

Convention without Convening

Constitutional Political Economy, forthcoming, GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 20-06
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 06 Feb 2020 Last Revised: 18 Nov 2021
Erik W. Matson and Daniel B. Klein
Mercatus Center at George Mason University and George Mason University - Department of Economics
Downloads 163 (347,695)
Citation 3

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David Hume, David K. Lewis, natural convention, justice, property

10.

Adam Smith's Humean Attitude About Science; Illustrated by the History of Astronomy

Adam Smith Review, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 26 Posted: 20 Sep 2016 Last Revised: 06 May 2018
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 153 (366,538)
Citation 1

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Adam Smith, History of Astronomy, David Hume, Naturalism, Skepticism

11.

The Edifying Discourse of Adam Smith: Focalism, Commerce, and Serving the Common Good

Forthcoming in the Journal of the History of Economic Thought
Number of pages: 34 Posted: 09 Dec 2020 Last Revised: 20 Jul 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 140 (393,596)
Citation 3

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focalism; common good; universal benevolence; political economy; economics and ethics

12.

Reason and Political Economy in Hume

Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 32 Posted: 25 Oct 2018 Last Revised: 07 Mar 2019
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 112 (466,822)
Citation 3

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Hume, reason, political economy, methodology

13.

The Elevated Imagination: Contemplation and Action in David Hume and Adam Smith

Journal of Scottish Philosophy, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 27 Posted: 20 Sep 2016 Last Revised: 25 Oct 2019
Erik W. Matson and Colin Doran
Mercatus Center at George Mason University and George Mason University - Department of Economics
Downloads 111 (469,895)
Citation 1

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Adam Smith, David Hume, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, A Treatise of Human Nature

14.

The Dual Account of Reason and the Spirit of Philosophy in Hume's Treatise

Forthcoming in Hume Studies, GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 17-49
Number of pages: 41 Posted: 19 Nov 2017 Last Revised: 04 Jan 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 105 (489,087)
Citation 1

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David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, reason, skepticism, imagination, induction

15.

Satisfaction in Action: Hume's Endogenous Theory of Preferences and the Virtues of Commerce

Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 38 Posted: 27 Mar 2020 Last Revised: 10 Nov 2020
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 99 (509,405)
Citation 1

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David Hume; endogenous preferences; sympathy; economic philosophy; commercial society.

16.

Religion, the Scottish Enlightenment, and the Rise of Liberalism: Symposium Introduction

Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology, forthcoming
Number of pages: 11 Posted: 08 Sep 2022
Erik W. Matson and Jordan J. Ballor
Mercatus Center at George Mason University and Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy
Downloads 91 (537,987)

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religion; Adam Smith; liberalism; the Scottish Enlightenment; liberal theology; history of economic thought

17.

Economics and the Moral Theology of Mutual Benefits

Number of pages: 23 Posted: 11 Oct 2022 Last Revised: 30 Jan 2023
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 85 (561,188)

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vocation, theology, mutual benefit, division of labor, Hutcheson, Adam Smith, David Hume, common good

18.

Ethical Economics or Economical Ethics? Considerations out of Carl Menger

Review of Austrian Economics, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 44 Posted: 04 Apr 2022 Last Revised: 15 Jun 2022
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 77 (594,436)
Citation 1

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Ethics; economic methodology; institutions; behavioral economics; social norms; Adam Smith

19.

Butler and Smith's Ethical and Theological Framing of Commerce

Adam Smith, Theology, and Morality, ed. Ballor and van der Kooi (London: Routledge, Forthcoming)
Number of pages: 41 Posted: 09 Mar 2021 Last Revised: 28 Jun 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 72 (617,004)
Citation 1

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Joseph Butler; Adam Smith; commerce; theology; self-love; charity

20.

David Hume, Economic Rationality, and Policy: Symposium Introduction

Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 7 Posted: 09 Dec 2020
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 71 (621,704)

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David Hume; true preferences; error; endogenous preferences; general rules; instability; coordination regime; conservatism; liberalism; ethics of innovation; classical economics; group analytics

21.

A Review of 'Our Great Purpose. Adam Smith on Living a Better Life' by Ryan Patrick Hanley

Number of pages: 6 Posted: 16 Jul 2020
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 65 (651,127)

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Adam Smith; Ryan Patrick Hanley; universal benevolence; love; commerce

22.

Our Dynamic Being Within: Smithian Challenges to the New Paternalism

Journal of Economic Methodology, forthcoming
Number of pages: 26 Posted: 23 Apr 2021 Last Revised: 06 Nov 2022
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 63 (661,484)

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Adam Smith; behavioral economics; paternalism; welfare: The Theory of Moral Sentiments; impartial spectator

23.

An Economist's Philosopher: A Review of Margaret Schabas and Carl Wennerlind, "A Philosopher's Economist: Hume and the Rise of Capitalism"

Forthcoming in Hume Studies
Number of pages: 5 Posted: 22 Dec 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 62 (666,804)

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David Hume, A Philosopher's Economist, ethics and economics, economic methodology

24.

The Recurrent Evil of Price Controls: John Witherspoon's 1778 Letter to George Washington

The Independent Review, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 14 Posted: 27 Jan 2024
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 61 (672,056)

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John Witherspoon, George Washington, price controls, Valley Forge

25.

God, Commerce, and Adam Smith through the Editions of TMS

Forthcoming in Journal of Markets & Morality
Number of pages: 27 Posted: 16 Sep 2021
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 60 (677,395)

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Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments, theology, commerce, impartial spectator

26.

The Behavioral Welfare Economist in Society: Considerations from David Hume

Number of pages: 23 Posted: 18 Feb 2021
Erik W. Matson and Malte F. Dold
Mercatus Center at George Mason University and Pomona College - Department of Economics
Downloads 58 (688,318)

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David Hume; behavioral economics; welfare; paternalism; rhetoric of behavioral economics

27.

The Sympathetic Formation of Reason and the Limits of Science

Society
Number of pages: 20 Posted: 20 Sep 2016 Last Revised: 09 Sep 2020
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 55 (705,269)

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David Hume, Adam Smith, Reason, Knowledge, Confirmatory Bias, Behavioral Economics

28.

‘To Keep Industry Alive’: Hume on Freer International Trade As Moral Improvement

Forthcoming in 'British International Thought in the Making,' eds. B. Bourcier and M. Jakonen (Palgrave Macmillan)
Number of pages: 25 Posted: 15 Oct 2022 Last Revised: 24 Oct 2022
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 49 (741,997)

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29.

Hume on the Protestant Ethic and the Rise of English Commercial Spirit

Number of pages: 30 Posted: 20 Jul 2023
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 46 (761,471)

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David Hume; Max Weber; Protestantism; commercial spirit; The History of England; luxury

30.

Commerce as Cooperation with the Deity: Self-Love, the Common Good, and the Coherence of Francis Hutcheson

European Journal for the History of Economic Thought (forthcoming)
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 04 Jan 2023 Last Revised: 09 Mar 2023
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 43 (782,306)

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Francis Hutcheson, self-love, the division of labor, property, divine providence

31.

Foreword to William Scott, "Francis Hutcheson: His Life, Teaching, and Position in the History of Philosophy" (Vancouver: CL Press, 2023)

Number of pages: 5 Posted: 13 Dec 2023 Last Revised: 19 Dec 2023
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 20 (981,629)

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Francis Hutcheson; W.R. Scott; Scottish Enlightenment

32.

Adam Smith and the Patriotism of Partnership

Journal of Contextual Economics, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 31 Posted: 19 Jun 2024
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 14 (1,046,252)

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Adam Smith, patriotism, nationalism, universal benevolence, free trade, Soame Jenyns

33.

Classical Liberalism: Some Historical Influences from Religion and Natural Law

Routledge Handbook of Classical Liberalism, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 29 Posted: 19 Jun 2024
Erik W. Matson
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Downloads 13 (1,056,889)

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history of classical liberalism, religion, natural law, theology, Protestantism