How could Adam Smith's comment about the butcher, the brewer, and the baker be accurately rephrased in modern terms?
A) The butcher, the brewer, and the baker give us our dinner because they want to be well liked in the community.
B) The butcher, the brewer, and the baker give us our dinner because they will be sued if they don't do so.
C) The butcher, the brewer, and the baker give us our dinner because they each earn a living by doing so.
D) The butcher, the brewer, and the baker give us our dinner because they view doing so as a public service.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adam Smith's comment can be accurately rephrased to say that the butcher, the brewer, and the baker provide us with food because they earn a living by doing so. This reflects the idea of self-interest and the pursuit of profit, which are important concepts in Smith's economic theory of capitalism. Option A is incorrect because the desire to be well-liked in the community is not necessarily a primary motivator for individuals in the marketplace. Option B is also incorrect because the threat of being sued is not the driving force behind why the butcher, the brewer, and the baker provide us with food. Option D is incorrect because while some individuals may view their work as a public service, this is not a universal motivation for all individuals in the marketplace.

How Could Adam Smith's Comment About the Butcher, the Brewer