Adam Smith et la physique de Newton

Abstract

In most of Smith's writings we find references to the natural philosophy of Newton. Beyond the use of Newtonian concepts and laws to deal with specific issues, we would like to focus on the relationship between the Smithian representation of the social world and the Newtonian representation of the natural world. Smith relies on Newton to get himself involved in major policy debates that shape the intellectual life of Western Europe from Hobbes through Locke, Shaftesbury, Mandeville, Hutcheson, Hume and Rousseau. Newtonian physics allows Smith to advocate an approach to social and political life freed from social contract, in contrast with Locke. Nourished by chosen references to physics and physicists from Antiquity to 18th century, Smith’s use of Newtonian physics, together with references to Locke’s philosophy, lead Smith to reject both Cartesian theology and Cartesian physics.

Keywords

• attraction
• Descartes (René)
• God
• political economy
• Newton (Isaac)
• gravitation