Political Economy as Natural Theology

Smith, Malthus and Their Followers

Business & Finance, Economics
Cover of the book Political Economy as Natural Theology by Paul Oslington, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul Oslington ISBN: 9781351686037
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: July 28, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Paul Oslington
ISBN: 9781351686037
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: July 28, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Since the early 20th century, economics has been the dominant discourse in English-speaking countries, displacing Christian theology from its previous position of authority. This path-breaking book is a major contribution to the interdisciplinary dialogue between economics and religion.

Oslington tells the story of natural theology shaping political economy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, emphasising continuing significance of theological issues for the discipline of economics. Early political economists such as Adam Smith, Josiah Tucker, Edmund Burke, William Paley, TR Malthus, Richard Whately, JB Sumner, Thomas Chalmers and William Whewell, extended the British scientific natural theology tradition of Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle and Isaac Newton to the social world. This extension nourished and shaped political economy as a discipline, influencing its theoretical framework, but perhaps more importantly helping legitimate political economy in the British universities and public policy circles. Educating the public in the principles of political economy had a central place in this religiously driven program. Natural theology also created tensions (especially reconciling economic suffering with divine goodness and power) that eventually contributed to its demise and the separation of economics from theology in mid-19th-century Britain. This volume highlights aspects of the story that are neglected in standard histories of economics, histories of science and contemporary theology.

Political Economy as Natural Theology is essential reading for all concerned with the origins of economics, the meaning and purpose of economic activity and the role of religion in contemporary policy debates.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the early 20th century, economics has been the dominant discourse in English-speaking countries, displacing Christian theology from its previous position of authority. This path-breaking book is a major contribution to the interdisciplinary dialogue between economics and religion.

Oslington tells the story of natural theology shaping political economy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, emphasising continuing significance of theological issues for the discipline of economics. Early political economists such as Adam Smith, Josiah Tucker, Edmund Burke, William Paley, TR Malthus, Richard Whately, JB Sumner, Thomas Chalmers and William Whewell, extended the British scientific natural theology tradition of Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle and Isaac Newton to the social world. This extension nourished and shaped political economy as a discipline, influencing its theoretical framework, but perhaps more importantly helping legitimate political economy in the British universities and public policy circles. Educating the public in the principles of political economy had a central place in this religiously driven program. Natural theology also created tensions (especially reconciling economic suffering with divine goodness and power) that eventually contributed to its demise and the separation of economics from theology in mid-19th-century Britain. This volume highlights aspects of the story that are neglected in standard histories of economics, histories of science and contemporary theology.

Political Economy as Natural Theology is essential reading for all concerned with the origins of economics, the meaning and purpose of economic activity and the role of religion in contemporary policy debates.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Trajan by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Statistical Methods by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Sustainability by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Millennialism and Violence by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Borrowed Narratives by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Contributions to Social Ontology by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Global Perspectives of Occupational Social Work by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Post-Apartheid Southern Africa by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Statistical Sampling and Risk Analysis in Auditing by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Growing Up by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Subject Librarians by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book An Introduction to Longitudinal Research by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book War, Peace and World Orders in European History by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book The Methodology of Economic Model Building (Routledge Revivals) by Paul Oslington
Cover of the book Improving Your School One Week at a Time by Paul Oslington
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy