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Hello, at the height of the Enlightenment in the second half of the 18th century, few places in Europe

could match the flood of intellectual accomplishment that came from Scotland.

The philosophy of David Hume and James Hunt's fundamental discoveries about geology are just two examples,

and Edinburgh and Glasgow boasted the two greatest universities in Europe.

But the most celebrated figure of the Scottish Enlightenment today is Adam Smith, the moral philosopher

and economic theorist who in 1776 published a book that's become the foundation of modern economics.

Its full title is An Inquiry into the Nature and

Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Smith examines the evolution of human

civilization and the ways in which the actions of individuals affect entire societies.

The Wealth of Nations argues passionately against the regulation of markets.

With me to discuss Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations are Richard Wattmore, Professor of Modern History and Director of the Institute of

Intellectual History at the University of St Andrews, Donald Winch, a Maritus Professor of

Intellectual History at the University of Sussex and Helen Paul, lecturer in economics and economic

history of the University of Southampton.

Richard Whatmore.

Could you begin by telling a bit more about Scotland at the time in the early days of Adam

Smith? Yes, well, Smith's born in at the time in the early days of Adam Smith.

Yes, well, Smith's born in 1723 and you can say that the history of Scotland

before that time is both fascinating and also desperate.

It's desperate for lots and lots of reasons.

...