Lectures On Jurisprudence

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Smith's "Lectures on Jurisprudence", originally delivered at Glasgow University in 1762-1763, presents his "theory of the rules by which civil government ought to be directed". Building on his "Theory of Moral Sentiments", Smith argues that the state must act as an impartial spectator, judging when an individual has been injured, Thus, regulations concerning trade, commerce, and production must be crafted so as to encourage rather than interfere with other productive capacities.

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ADAM SMITH V Lectures on Jurisprudence THE GLASGOW EDITION CORRESPONDENCE OF THE WORKS OF ADAM SMITH AND Commissioned by the Univer, ity of Glasgow to celebrate the bicentenary of the Wealth of Nations I THE THEORY OF MORAL SENTIMENTS Edited by D. D. RAPHAEL and A. L. MACFIE II AN INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF THE WEALTH OF NATIONS Edited by R. H. CAMPBELL and A. s. SKINNER;textual editor w. B. TODD III ESSAYS ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS (and Miscellaneous Pieces) Edited by w. P. D. WIGHTMAN IV LECTURES ON RHETORIC AND BELLES LETTRES Edited by J. c. BRYCE This volume includes the Considerations concerning the First Formation of Languages V LECTURES ON JURISPRUDENCE Edited by R. L. ME,X, D. D. RAPHAEL, and v. G. saxm This volume includes two reports of Smith's course together with the 'Early Draft' of part of The Wealth of Nations vI CORRESPONDENCE OF ADAM SMITH Edited by E. C. MOSSNER and Z. S, ROSS Assodated volumes: ESSAYS ON ADAM SMITH Edited by & s. SKINNERand T. WILSON LIFE OF ADAM SMITH By I. s. ROSS The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence the associated volumes are published in hardcover by Press. The six titles of the Glasgow Edition, but not the are being published in softcover by Liberty of Adam Smith and Oxford University associated volumes, Fund. ADAM SMITH Lectures on Jurisprudence EDITED BY R. L. MEEK D. D. RAPHAEL AND P. G. STEIN Liberty Fund Indianapolis This book is published by Liberty Fund, Inc., a foundation established to encourage study of the ideal of a societyof free and responsible individuals. The cuneiform inscription that serves as our logo and as the design motif for our endpapers is the earliest-known written appearance of the word "freedom" (amagi), or "liberty."It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.c. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash. This Liberty Fund edition of 1982 is an exact photographic reproduction of the edition published by Oxford University Press in 1978. Liberty Fund, Inc. 8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46250 This reprint has been authorized by the Oxford University Press. © Oxford University Press 1978. Library of Co_ Cataloging in Publication Data Smith, Adam, 1723-1790. Lectures on jurisprudence. Reprint. Originally published: Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978. (The Glasgow edition of the works and correspondence of Adam Smith; 5) Includes bibliographical references and indexes. 1. Jurisprudence. I. Meek, Ronald L. II. Raphael, D. D. (David Daiebes), 1916III. Stein, Peter, 1926IV. Title. V. Series: Smith, Adam, 1723-1790. Works. 1976; 5. AC7.$59 1976a vol. 5 330.15'3S 81-23689 [K230.$6] [340.11 AACR2 ISBN 0-86597-011-4 (pbl¢) 02 01 00 99 98 P 8 7 6 5 4 This book is printed on paper that is acid-free and meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, Z39.48-1992. Cover design byJMH Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana. Printed and bound by Edwards Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan Contents List of Abbreviations vii Introduction z Acknor_