The Infidel and the Professor

This book delves into the personal and intellectual relationship between David Hume and Adam Smith, highlighting their contrasting reputations and the significant impact they had on each other's work.

Hume, known as 'the Great Infidel,' was a skeptic and social pariah, while Smith was a respected professor of moral philosophy.

The book examines their friendship from their first meeting in 1749 until Hume's death, discussing their interactions, intellectual exchanges, and the broader context of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Rasmussen provides a nuanced account of their relationship, exploring themes such as their differing views on Christianity and the development of their major works, including Smith's 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' and 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations'