The aim of the paper is to show that Adam Smith elaborated a distinctive image of nature related to economic discourse. In Smith, visible events (or interdependencies) must be connected to invisible principles which, in particular, should provide an explanation of the self-coordination processes...

<italic>Smith was influenced by Newton’s method. Nonetheless, he introduced elements that led him far from the Newtonian perspective. The present essay analyzes how historical dimensions, contingencies, institutions, and conflicting human inclinations modify a Newtonian horizon. Finally, the paper...</italic>

An important observer in Italy of the debate on market socialism was Attilio Cabiati, who discussed the central issues of the controversy with Luigi Einaudi from a Paretian perspective. The essay shows how Cabiati addressed those issues, pointing out some peculiarities in his intellectual style....

The aim of this essay is to describe the concept of self-interest and show how it relates to the idea of the individual as an economic agent, focusing only on Smith's Wealth of Nations. Self-interest is analysed from three different perspectives that highlight its conceptual complexity. The...

Il presente lavoro prende le mosse dal seguente quesito: in che misura muto' fra Sei e Settecento la visione delle relazioni fra natura e rapporti economici? Piu' specificamente ci si domanda se la visione della natura degli autori presmithiani fosse la stessa di Adam Smith e, una volta valutata...

La tesi sostenuta in questo lavoro Š che nell'opera di Hayek vi siano non una, ma due nozioni di conoscenza. La prima Š una conoscenza informazionale consistente in un insieme di dati dispersi fra una molteplicita' di agenti. La seconda Š una conoscenza potenziale, conosciuta nella...

In analysis of the reciprocal relations which link together the evolution of the relations of subordination, personal incentives, and the division of labor with special reference to the agricultural and the commercial stages, Adam Smith pointed out the exclusive role performed by personal...

Hayek opposes the explanation of the emergence of institutions as “spontaneous (unintentional) order”, which he considers correct, against “constructivism” (viewed as erroneous). This dichotomy exhibits some inconsistencies, for, on Hayek’s account, constructivist ideologies seem able...

First, the paper seeks to show that Herbert Simon's notion of bounded rationality should be interpreted in light of its connection with artificial intelligence. Second, offering four paradigmatic examples, the article presents the view that recent approaches that draw upon Simon's heterodox...