SMITHOVA TEÓRIA VEREJNÉHO ZÁUJMU

One of the most interesting topics from Smith’s thinking is his thesis about harmony of self-interests with public interest. According to this thesis individual acting will be helpful to whole of society. How should we understand this claim, when Smith connects it with self-love and egoism? The paper shows that understanding of this claim needs wider ethical and social background. First, Smith’s political economy is narrowly connected with his theory of moral sentiments. Second, validity of the Smith’s thesis is dependent on existence of some institutions of society, especially justice and positive law. Only these assumptions give meaningful to this thesis.