by Dennis C. Rasmussen (Author)
The story of the greatest of all philosophical friendships--and how it influenced modern thought
David Hume is arguably the most important philosopher ever to have written in English, but during his lifetime he was attacked as "the Great Infidel" for his religious skepticism and deemed unfit to teach the young. In contrast, Adam Smith, now hailed as the founding father of capitalism, was a revered professor of moral philosophy. Remarkably, Hume and Smith were best friends, sharing what Dennis Rasmussen calls the greatest of all philosophical friendships. The Infidel and the Professor tells the fascinating story of the close relationship between these towering Enlightenment thinkers--and how it influenced their world-changing ideas. It shows that Hume contributed more to economics--and Smith contributed more to philosophy--than is generally recognized. The result is a compelling account of a great friendship that had great consequences for modern thought.Back Jacket
"The Infidel and the Professor is the first book on the fascinating subject of the friendship between David Hume and Adam Smith. Masterfully weaving together the historical evidence, Dennis Rasmussen does justice to both the ideas of these two men and their larger social and intellectual context. The resulting account is erudite, absorbing, witty, and smoothly narrated."--Andrew Sabl, author of Hume's Politics
"This account of the friendship between two of the most important and famous thinkers of the eighteenth century--David Hume and Adam Smith--also provides an accessible introduction to their thought and writings."--John T. Scott, coauthor of The Philosophers' Quarrel
Author Biography
Dennis C. Rasmussen is professor of political science at Tufts University.