"wilt not leave my soul in hell" - Shakespeare, Newton and Adam Smith

Tokyo

Shakespeare, Newton and Adam Smith

It was interesting to confirm that Newton was closer to Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) than Adam Smith was.

Isaac Newton (1642 – 1726) was an English physicist and mathematician (described in his own day as a "natural philosopher") who is widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the scientific revolution. (Wikipedia) 

Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) was a Scottish moral philosopher, pioneer of political economy, and key Scottish Enlightenment figure.  (Wikipedia)

So, it seems to be natural and reasonable that one is interested in literature and then in science and finally in economics and social ethics.

Yet, based on cultural traditions and legacies cultivated and developed by Shakespeare, Newton, and Adam Smith, the English Industrial Revolution led to modern capitalism, so to speak, in a successful manner.  Indeed, the modern capitalism is based on and also supported by freedom in speech, modern science and technology, and analytic economic study.

To judge the modern capitalism, as the fruit of the history since Shakespeare or the 17th century after the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, we have to refer to Adam Smith.

An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
by Adam Smith 1776 

Book 1, Chapter 8
Of the Wages of Labour
...
No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, cloath and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labour as to be themselves tolerably well fed, cloathed and lodged... 

The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the effect of increasing wealth, so it is the cause of increasing population. To complain of it is to lament over the necessary effect and cause of the greatest public prosperity...

http://geolib.com/smith.adam/won1-08.html

It is equality and fairness that make the whole society rich or prosperous, or otherwise even worth living.

Put differently, after accumulating products and fruits of literature, science and technology, and economy, mankind has to aim at establishing a society that is fully equal for all of its members.

The answer is equality in society.

Shakespeare, Newton and Adam Smith should be all understood with this key concept.


(From the beginning, every man is equal before God, since He judges everyone with the same standard.)





**** **** ****


Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.