Our modern world has been decisively shaped by capitalism – on this, all agree. But has it been shaped by capitalism for the worse or for the better? Here we find less agreement. While some argue that capitalism has promoted the progress of society and the alleviation of poverty, others argue that capitalism has corrupted us by eviscerating our communities and exacerbating inequality.

How ought we then understand capitalism’s present state and possible future? For guidance, our conference proposes to go back to the past and revisit the social vision of Adam Smith, the thinker who more than any other thinker in our tradition is credited as the founding father of modern capitalism.

This event is especially timely given not just the current state of the debate over capitalism, but also the fact that 2023 is the 300th anniversary of Adam Smith’s birth. Adam Smith and Capitalism Today thus joins several other events worldwide being held this year in order to commemorate Smith’s tercentenary and examine his legacy and continued relevance.

Our conference will bring thirteen renowned experts from multiple fields – from economics to political science to philosophy – to the Boston College campus for two days of plenary addresses and panels and discussions. In so doing we hope to provide attendees with an opportunity to engage the wide range of themes Smith addressed – from sympathy and virtue and happiness to wealth and poverty and inequality – and thereby open up the question of how engaging Smith’s vision can help shape today’s discussions of capitalism’s future.

Please Register to Attend @ bit.ly/3yrJZcX