On the Possibility of Justice in Commercial Society According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Adam Smith

Hurtado, Jimena

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2799789

On the Possibility of Justice in Commercial Society According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Adam Smith

Documento CEDE No. 2016-20

41 Pages Posted: 23 Jun 2016

See all articles by Jimena Hurtado

Jimena Hurtado

Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics

Date Written: June 15, 2016

Abstract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Adam Smith stand on opposite sides regarding their appraisal of commercial society. The citizen of Geneva is known as one of its most harsh critiques, whereas the Scottish philosopher is considered as one of its main advocates. However, both authors coincide on one aspect: justice is the main pillar of any society. In this text, I explore this point in order to advance our understanding about the contrast between these two major figures.

Keywords: Adam Smith, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, justice, commercial society, self-love.

JEL Classification: B12, B31

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Hurtado, Jimena, On the Possibility of Justice in Commercial Society According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Adam Smith (June 15, 2016). Documento CEDE No. 2016-20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2799789 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2799789