Teachings from the Worldly Philosophy - Hardcover

Judicious and generous selections from the key writings of masters of the economics game, complete with perceptive commentary. An easy-access guide to the seminal writings of the great economists, selected and annotated with the idea that 'economics is inextricably sociopolitical in nature.' . . . A welcome refresher course. Heilbroner has come as close as a historian of economics gets to being a household name. . . . He makes hundreds of years of economic writings accessible and lively.--Gina Neff

This is an examination of the writings of the philosophers featured in the author's book "The Worldly philosophers". Heilbroner guides the reader through works culled from the history of economic thought, and considers the core arguments of works seldom read, but often referred to. The works introduced range from the earliest economic thought found in the Bible and Aquinas, to major works such as Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations", Malthus's "Essay on the Principle of Population", and David Ricardo's "Principles of Political Economy", to Keynes's "General Theory". Heilbroner reveals that the sturdiest principles of economics reside not in mathematical equations, but in wide-ranging and stimulating appraisals of the behaviour of individuals within their social contexts and society.