On this episode of the podcast, we continue our discussion of Adam Smith. First, we look at two towns with the same name on opposite sides of the US-Mexico border, and consider why their residents have such markedly different standards of living. Next, we ask ourselves what determines a nation’s wealth, which leads us to a discussion of Mercantilism and its ... Show More
Jan 2023
Revisiting the "father of capitalism"
Sean Illing talks with Glory Liu, the author of Adam Smith’s America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism. Smith is most well-known for being the “father of capitalism,” but as Liu points out in her book, his legacy has been misappropriated — especial ... Show More
51m 34s
Mar 2020
#189 — Wealth & Happiness
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks with Scott Galloway about the connection between wealth and happiness. They discuss the problem of wealth inequality, the transfer of wealth from the young to the old, class warfare in Democratic politics, deficit spending, mea ... Show More
1h 11m
Oct 2020
#221 — Success, Failure, & the Common Good
Sam Harris speaks with Michael Sandel about the problem with meritocracy . They discuss the dark side of the concept of merit, the pernicious myth of the self-made man, the moral significance of luck, the backlash against "elites" and expertise, how we value human excellence, the ... Show More
46m 48s
May 2020
#205 — The Failure of Meritocracy
Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Markovits about the problems with meritocracy. They discuss the nature of inequality in the United States, the disappearance of the leisure class, the difference between labor and capital as sources of inequality, the way the education system amplifi ... Show More
58m 59s
Aug 2022
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, Part 1
<p>Let's relax with a much-requested book and drift off as Mr. Smith defines the division of labor, details the connections of commerce, and takes a swipe at the lie of meritocracy. Economical!</p> <p> </p> <p>Help us stay 100% listener-supported and ad-free for all!</p> <p>Patre ... Show More
53m 52s
Nov 2017
Adam Smith: Father of Capitalism
Adam Smith, a moral philosopher and economist, was born in Scotland, the son of a customs officer. In 1776 he published a book called 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’. Smith basically argued against the over regulation of commerce and said if peopl ... Show More
39m 47s