Author Archives: F. E. Guerra-Pujol

I interrupt yet again my review of Ryan Patrick Hanley’s latest book on Adam Smith in order to express my opinion about Mark Cuban’s controversial decision to cancel the national anthem during his team’s home games: although I strongly disagree … Continue reading →

Alternative Title: Two Problems with Mutual Sympathy and Adam Smith’s Solution Although the sympathy of others (to paraphrase Smith) is necessary to our happiness, and although we also want to receive the sympathy, attention, and esteem of others, Ryan Patrick … Continue reading →

I am interrupting my review of Ryan Patrick Hanley’s book on Adam Smith to pay my respects to the great Mary Wilson. Update (2/15): Also, check out this collection of Mary Wilson recordings. Hat tip: Steve Lubet, via The Faculty … Continue reading →

Alternative Title: Adam Smith’s (Humean-Inspired?) Theory of Reciprocal Sympathy As Ryan Patrick Hanley correctly notes in his beautiful new book on Adam Smith, the concept of sympathy or “fellow feeling” is the cornerstone of Smith’s moral philosophy. The original 1759 … Continue reading →

Before we discuss the main features of Adam Smith’s approach to moral philosophy (sympathy or fellow-feeling, the imaginary impartial spectator, and virtue), I want to share with you two quotes by David Hume: one about the limited role of reason … Continue reading →

Ryan Patrick Hanley poses two deep philosophical questions on the first two lines of the first page of his new book Our great purpose: Adam Smith on living a better life: “What does it mean to ‘live a [good] life’? … Continue reading →

As I mentioned in a previous post, in the days ahead I will be reviewing Ryan Patrick Hanley’s new book about Adam Smith: “Our great purpose: Adam Smith on living a better life” (Princeton U Press, 2019), one of the … Continue reading →

Originally posted on prior probability:
What happened to “saving grandma”? The covid coronavirus is peaking, new strains are popping up everywhere, and yet we are still plowing ahead with this totally unnecessary super-spreader event. I respectfully reiterate my call that the Super-Spreader-Bowl be cancelled or … Continue reading →

I was on the verge of deleting my Facebook account again, but to paraphrase Michael Corleone in The Godfather: just when I thought I was out, Day 1 of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour has pulled me back in! #ChessChamps … Continue reading →

Among many other things (essays, articles, blogs, etc.), I am reading–or am about to start reading–the following books (presented alphabetically): Ryan Patrick Hanley, Our great purpose: Adam Smith on living a better life (Princeton, 2019). I have just finished reading … Continue reading →