Thinking in Public with Albert Mohler Luther, Calvin, and Economics — A Conversation with Professor Benjamin M. Friedman
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Nov 13, 2024 Benjamin M. Friedman, a Harvard economist and author, dives deep into the fascinating intersection of religion and economics. He reveals how Protestant movements influenced economic thought, shaping figures like Adam Smith. The discussion highlights Edinburgh's legacy in nurturing modern economic theories while exploring Calvinism's role in moral frameworks. Friedman also examines the shift towards secular academia and its impact on economic disciplines. Expect thought-provoking insights on how faith and ethics continue to steer economic discourse today.
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Religious Influence on Economics
- Benjamin M. Friedman, an economist, became interested in the origins of economic ideas.
- He discovered that religious thought, especially within Protestantism, significantly influenced figures like Adam Smith.
The Scottish Enlightenment
- Several factors contributed to Scotland's intellectual flourishing, including better education and a vibrant intellectual social life.
- These factors, combined with Newtonian ideas and Stoic philosophy, influenced the development of modern economics.
Secularization of Religious Ideas
- Modern economics, and possibly political science, are largely secularized forms of earlier religious thought.
- This includes the concept of progress and the idea that human happiness is a divinely intended end.
