Smith’s insight into human nature is both amusing and enlightening. The passage makes humor of animal behavior versus human trade. The bones become the subject of dog fights from their fellows, but the dogs prize neither the negotiation in the bartering process nor the trade itself. This isolated incident is a background element in one… Continue reading commerce
Category: Commerce
Commerce – Donovan
What I found interesting in the texts is the initial description of what commerce means. I especially liked how in the second chapter text it gave in depth examples and real-world examples of what commerce is before it is actually established as commerce. I also found it interesting how they noted that animals don’t necessarily… Continue reading Commerce – Donovan
Commerce – Dylan
I found Hume’s idea that what motivates an individual or an economy is their pursuit of luxury to be interesting, because he later details how extreme economic inequality can cause negative market forces which will neither further enrich the capital of the wealthy nor provide benefit to the proletariat. He touches on ideals which are… Continue reading Commerce – Dylan
Commerce Rebecca
Something that stands out with these texts is how several of these concerns and concepts still remain relevant today. While reading I was reminded of conversations today regarding politics especially, with topics such as trade, labor, and class. In particular, the analogy in The Fable of the Bees, referencing the ramifications of the overall intentions… Continue reading Commerce Rebecca
Sophia Commerce post
Hume’s essay highlights the need for gradual change to an already established system opposed to a drastic change which can leave societies in chaos. He believes commerce is important to societies in order to improve wealth, and trade among different nations. Humes realizes in the use of commerce, labor is something that will cost money… Continue reading Sophia Commerce post
Commerce Yasmine
After reading this week’s material, I couldn’t help but think about today’s world. In David Hume’s Political Essays, he examines the connection between commerce (trade and industry), a state’s strength, and the happiness of its people. This idea is clearly seen in the U.S., which spends heavily on military aid (like supporting Israel) while struggling with problems at home, such… Continue reading Commerce Yasmine
Commerce! SB
Something that I really enjoyed about the Adam Smith passage was all of his comparisons of humans to animals. It isn’t necessarily flattering, but I think coming from a father of modern-day capitalism that makes sense. “By nature a philosopher is not in genius and disposition half so different from a street porter, as a… Continue reading Commerce! SB
EL – Commerce
“David Hume’s Political Essays” demonstrates that the topics that he presents within his essays can be idealized in our modern century. It’s ironic, in a sense. Hume is aware that labor costs money for the economy and sometimes it is unfair and in his words, “a violent method” (136). Which, is true. Not physically violent,… Continue reading EL – Commerce
Nicholas Cai – Commerce
After reading this week’s passages, I immediately noticed connections between Joseph Addison’s The Royal Exchange and David Hume’s essay On Commerce. Both texts emphasize the possible benefits foreign trade can have on domestic pleasures and life, while David Hume also points out nations that prosper economically with less international business, such as China. Hume argues… Continue reading Nicholas Cai – Commerce
