Author Archives: F. E. Guerra-Pujol
Additional Adam Smith enigmas
One of the most famous episodes in the history of modern mathematics occurred on August 8, 1900 at the Sorbonne, when German mathematician David Hilbert presented ten unsolved problems during that year’s International Congress of Mathematics. Following Hilbert’s lead, in … Continue reading
Another Adam Smith Enigma
Enigma #2: Why did Adam Smith instruct his literary executors to destroy most of his unpublished works upon his death? As I mentioned in my previous post, I am writing up a new series of blog posts devoted to the … Continue reading
Adam Smith’s enigmas
Enigma #1: Why did Adam Smith become a Commissioner of Scottish Customs in 1778? Following up on my recent series on “Walter Bagehot and Adam Smith”, I have decided to write up a new series of blog posts devoted to … Continue reading
Pop Quiz: What Is Your Favorite Raw Veggie Combo?
Mine are onions, tomatoes, and jalapeño peppers, along with cilantro and fresh-squeezed limes, the key ingredients in “pico de gallo” or salsa fresca.
Trump’s porn-star payments and the rule of law
Is the prosecution’s case against Mr Trump plausible or preposterous? See also here and here. Or put another way, is the Manhattan District Attorney upholding or destabilizing the rule of law by going after the former president at this time? … Continue reading
Easter Monday Music: MercyMe
“He is not here; he has risen!” —Luke 24:6-7
Walter Bagehot’s view of Adam Smith: some closing thoughts
Although Walter Bagehot’s 1876 Adam Smith essay (see here) is succinct by scholarly standards (just 25 pages), it deserves to be included in the pantheon of Adam Smith biographies not just for its content but also for its literary style. … Continue reading
Adam Smith Interlude 2 (The Customshouse Years)
My previous post describes Adam Smith’s “lost years” as a customs officer, while my next post will wrap up my review of Walter Bagehot’s beautiful and erudite essay “Adam Smith as a Person”; in the meantime, below are links to … Continue reading
Adam Smith’s lost years
(Walter Bagehot and Adam Smith, part 9) Thus far, I have reviewed the first 20 pages (pp. 18-38 or paragraphs 1-31) of Walter Bagehot’s beautiful essay “Adam Smith as a Person” (available here, by the way). Today, I will review … Continue reading

