Adam Smith and the Great Mind Fallacy

Mark D. White

From the latest issue of Social Philosophy and Policy (theme: Ownership and Justice) comes the following article:

ADAM SMITH AND THE GREAT MIND FALLACY

James R. Otteson (2010).
Social Philosophy and Policy, Volume 27, Issue 01, January 2010 pp 276-304
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?aid=6819980

The abstract follows:

Adam Smith raised a series of obstacles to effective large-scale social planning. In this paper, I draw these Smithian obstacles together to construct what I call the “Great Mind Fallacy,” or the belief that there exists some person or persons who can overcome the obstacles Smith raises. The putative scope of the Great Mind Fallacy is larger than one might initially suppose, which I demonstrate by reviewing several contemporary thinkers who would seem to commit it. I then address two ways the fallacy might be overcome, finding both wanting. I close the paper by suggesting that Smith's Great Mind Fallacy sheds interesting light on his “impartial spectator” standard of morality, including with respect to the specific issues of property and ownership.

Lots of fascinating papers regarding the moral, legal, and political philosophy of private property in this issue by Gerald Gaus, David Schmidtz, George Sher, and others - well worth checking out.

Comments

[BARBARA REYNOLDS]

I CANNOT BELEIVE YOU WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE STATUS QUO OF THE GREAT ONE OBAMA.. HE IS TAKING AWAY EVERY RIGHT WE HAVE AS CITIZENS .. GIVE OBAMA A FEW MORE MONTHS OF SCREWING UP OUR ECONOMY WITH BANKRUPCY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US AND YOU'LL BE RUNNING FOR THE HILLS ,TRYING TO HIDE FROM THE PEOPLE THAT TRUSTED YOU.
BARBARA REYNOLDS

[Mark D. White]

Ms. Reynolds, I'd suggest you read the article if it is available to you - Professor Otteson's point (and Smith's) is that such a "great mind" does not exist.